Bread Basket

05/29/2026

We need to address an ongoing issue very clearly:
PLEASE DO NOT leave donations outside any of our doors at the food pantry. This includes after-hours drop-offs, large items, or items we cannot accept.

When items are dumped outside, especially furniture, oversized items, or unusable donations, we are often forced to pay out of pocket to have them removed and disposed of properly. Every dollar we spend cleaning up and hauling away dumped items is money taken directly away from feeding families in our community.

This has become incredibly frustrating and upsetting for our staff and volunteers, who work hard every day to serve others.
If you would like to donate, please contact us first or donate only during open pantry hours so we can ensure items are appropriate and manageable for our space.

We appreciate the community’s generosity, but we need everyone to respect these boundaries so we can continue focusing our resources where they belong — feeding people.

05/25/2026

05/18/2026

We hope everyone enjoyed the citywide rummage sales this weekend! We are accepting donations this week.

ALL DONATIONS MUST BE DROPPED OFF WITH STAFF OR A VOLUNTEER. DONATIONS CANNOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.

We cannot accept anything that is stained, ripped, has a smell or has missing pieces. No large baby items or furniture.

Have a great Monday!

05/12/2026

We currently have a king mattress and a full mattress available free of charge for anyone in need.

If you are interested, please send us a private message. Mattresses will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Please note:
• You must arrange your own pickup and transportation
• We are unable to deliver or hold items without confirmation

We’re grateful to be able to help connect these items with members of our community who may need them. 💙

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible moms in our community. 💐

Today we celebrate the hardworking mothers who walk through our pantry doors every week doing everything they can to care for their children and families. We see your strength in the early mornings, the long days, the tight budgets, the sacrifices, and the endless love you pour into your families even when life feels overwhelming.

We also want to recognize the amazing moms on our volunteer team and our staff, who give so much of themselves to support others while continuing to care for their own families at home. Your compassion and dedication help make our pantry a place of dignity, kindness, and hope.

Supporting mothers means supporting entire families and stronger communities. When moms are cared for, encouraged, and supported, they are able to continue showing up for their children, their neighbors, and the people who rely on them every day.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at The Bread Basket ❤️

04/30/2026

🎉✂️ Ribbon Cutting Celebration ✂️🎉

We were excited to cut the ribbon and officially welcome The Bread Basket to the Watertown Area Chamber!

Located at 208 S. Third Street, The Bread Basket is a welcoming food pantry dedicated to offering healthy, fresh, and diverse food options to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Their mission is to provide food in a respectful, dignified environment where guests can choose what they need for the week.

With no paperwork and no income guidelines, The Bread Basket makes it easy for residents of Dodge and Jefferson Counties to receive support when they need it most. The pantry is open Mondays from noon to 7:00 PM, Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Fridays from noon to 4:00 PM.

04/25/2026

We want to send a huge thank you to the incredible students and staff from St. Jude’s Academy for spending time with us at the pantry last week!

These high schoolers showed maturity well beyond their years—jumping right in to help our guests, cleaning, organizing, and tackling our never-ending to-do list with positive attitudes and strong work ethic. Their willingness to serve did not go unnoticed.

We’re especially grateful that their support didn’t start (or end) with this visit. During the Christmas season, they helped make the holidays brighter for the families we serve by donating thoughtful gifts—and then came back to continue making a difference with their time and energy. That kind of follow-through speaks volumes.

It’s so important for young people to see the impact they can have when they show up for their community. Acts of service like this build empathy, connection, and a stronger future for all of us.

Thank you again, St. Jude’s Academy, for raising such compassionate and dedicated young leaders. We are truly grateful for you! 💛