As a food pantry, we provide 3-4 days of groceries for each member in the household. As the number of Winnebago County citizens that are living at or under the poverty levels increases, so does the demand for our services. Currently 40% of all our clients are children, and 6% are over the age of 65, while families are our largest overall demographic group. The impact of childhood hunger can have a lasting effect. Children that are hungry can suffer from cognitive developmental problems in addition to experiencing problems with physical health. In this community we have low-income elderly people struggling to balance their basic needs against their small incomes. In some households, prescription medications have replaced dinner due to the lack of funds. Increases in property taxes may impact an elderly neighbor’s choice to either pay their taxes and keep a roof over their heads and go hungry instead. Families that need our services have incomes at poverty or below the poverty level. They struggle to stay afloat and one medical bill, one major car repair, or one additional household expense can make a difference as to whether or not there is food on the dinner table. As the Rock River Valley Pantry looks to the future, we are faced with a growing need that can only be met through help from the community. Individual donations and volunteers, communities fundraising efforts, local supermarket food recovery programs, and government support are what allow the Pantry to keep feeding those in need. As you decide how you want to help to support the Pantry’s efforts, please remember, monetary donations allow us to purchase food at two to three times the retail rate and 93% of all monetary support is spent on direct program services. Your food donations will stay in this community and help those that are food insecure.
