The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank Inc

In Walworth County, 14,200 households struggle to make ends meet, meaning one in three Walworth County households cannot keep up with the rising cost of food, rent, and other essentials.

For more than 16 years, The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank, formerly the Walworth County Food & Diaper Bank, has been helping neighbors in need. In 2025, the volunteer-powered organization assisted more than 2,500 households experiencing crisis with more than 500,000 pounds of food, 35,000 diapers, 130,000 period products, and 25,000 incontinence supplies. Additionally, as a food and diaper bank, The Bridge provides support to 19 partner organizations in the county.

The Bridge's flagship program is the food pantry, an opportunity for qualifying Walworth County residents to visit monthly and receive fresh produce, frozen meat, dairy, canned goods, bread, and dry goods. At each visit, guests receive enough food for 10-14 days for their households. The Bridge currently provides food for 450 households each month, and 36% of the people in these households are children. With a small paid staff of two full-time and two part-time employees, the mission of The Bridge would not be possible without more than 100 engaged volunteers. Bridging neighbors who want to help others, with neighbors who need help, The Bridge Food & Diaper Bank creates a strong community of hope and resolve.

In addition to food, The Bridge provides essential items such as diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products. These resources are often unaffordable and not covered by public assistance programs. Access to these basic needs has a direct impact on a household's stability. Parents can go to work knowing their children have the diapers required to attend daycare safely. Young girls and women can attend school or go to work with confidence and dignity when they have reliable access to period products. These supports remove barriers that would otherwise prevent neighbors from fully participating in the community.

Poverty and food insecurity exists in Walworth County, where families rely on the Bridge Food & Diaper Bank. The high cost of living leaves many working families, seniors, and children struggling to afford basic necessities. Hidden need persists, even in affluent areas, making community support essential. By providing critical food and diaper assistance, the Bridge ensures that no family is left behind. Investing in this resource strengthens the entire community because when all residents have access to essentials, everyone benefits.

The Bridge is currently seeking support for a capital campaign. The current facility, a former medical clinic, has reached its limits, with the maximum capacity to serve only one third of the households in need. The space restricts how much product can be received, stored, and distributed, making it harder to meet the critical needs in Walworth County. This campaign will fund the construction of a new, purpose-built facility designed to increase storage, improve distribution, and create a more welcoming experience for the people it serves. The new building will allow The Bridge to operate more efficiently while preserving dignity for individuals and families facing food insecurity, diaper need, and period poverty.

The plans for the new facility include:
-Expansion from roughly 10,000 square feet across two levels to 18,000 square feet on a single level.
-Dedicated community gathering space for partner programs, education, and outreach.
-A grocery store layout that allows guests to choose their own food.
-Streamlined operations that reduce food handling from five or six touchpoints to just one or two.
-Increased space for freezer, cooler, and dry storage as well as food preparation areas, strengthening support to partner organizations in the county.

The foundation of a community is nutrition. When every child and adult is fed, especially those finding themselves in critical situations that are unforeseen and event-driven, a community will thrive.