Mayor's "Early"Hunger Luncheon for the 815

         Mayor Tom McNamara is having  lunch a little EARLY, and a little "Different" this Year.

With all the uncertainty in the world today, many events are being postponed or cancelled indefinitely. Two of those events, the Mayor's Hunger Luncheon, normally held in October, and the "Stamp out Hunger" USPS letter carriers annual food drive, are no exception. Your local pantries rely on the generosity of their amazing donors, as well as three annual fundraising events per year, to stock their shelves with enough nutritious food to provide four days of emergency  assistance per month to over 20,000 of our most vulnerable citizens. In Winnebago County, 22% of the people live at or below the poverty level. Among them are the children of low wage, hard working families, the elderly, the disabled, the veterans, the homeless, and those struggling with mental health issues.

The video posted was made and presented at the 2019 Mayor's Hunger Luncheon. It gives you just a glimpse of the people that are being helped through your local food pantries.


Since the outbreak, these primarily volunteer staffed local food pantries have seen a 22% rise in first time, newly unemployed, never been to a pantry clients, and the need is only expected to surge in the months ahead. They are also partnering with organizations such as Oak Street Health to deliver food boxes to at risk seniors and the disabled.


Our pantries are also feeling the effects of the recent food shortages and are forced to pay higher prices for non-perishable goods such as canned vegetables, if they can get them at all. For those that live in food deserts or have no transportation, the local pantries are their only access to nutritious, healthy foods.

Every dollar raised stays local, and directly benefits YOUR 815.

The following pantries wish to extend their gratitude to each and every donor, and to Mayor Tom McNamara for his continued support and understanding that there is NEVER a reason for anyone to go hungry!

Christ the Carpenter
Christian Union
Cornucopia
Emmanuel Lutheran
God's Glory 
Rock River Valley Pantry
St. Elizabeth Pantry
Salvation Army Pantry
Soul's Harbor Food Pantry
Unity in the Community

My name is Leslie Varisco, and as president of the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition, I am coming to you on behalf of the 10 community pantries that care for our most vulnerable neighbors to ask for your help.

Thank you SO much for your support.
Only together can we make a difference!