A Coalition of Rockford Area Food Pantries
Welcome —
The Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition is a collaborative team of nine local Rockford food pantries.
By joining forces, we share ideas, resources, and a mission to ensure that no one in our community goes without food or basic necessities. Together, we fight hunger in our 815 by providing nutritious emergency food, compassion, and respect to any and all community members in need.
There is NEVER a reason for anyone to go hungry!
If you are in immediate need of resources, please reach out to us HERE.
We are the coalition.
The Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition (GRPC), formed in 1994, is a collaborative effort to address food insecurity, raise awareness, share information, and pool resources to most effectively fight not only hunger but to offer access to proper nutrition in Winnebago County.
The Rockford Community needs Your help.
Over the years, our communities have seen our local grocery stores migrate east or close altogether. Those stores that offered healthy fresh fruits and produce, high-quality proteins, and affordable pantry staples have been replaced by mini-marts that have a very limited selection and offer processed, high sugar foods at inflated prices. Sadly, for many in our community who lack access, they are the only option. As a result, our clients struggle to find nourishing food that is both accessible and free to all those in need.
On average, our combined pantries assist over 25,000 individuals per month.
Just over 86% of our clients work in low wage jobs which offer no benefits, insurance, or stability.
We also serve the disabled, the elderly, veterans, the homeless, and those who struggle with mental illness and have nowhere else to turn.
These same families are now facing skyrocketing rents and spend over 50% of their income on housing alone.
Our clients can only dream of a savings account.
They are the forgotten we are called to serve.
We share the same Mission.
We believe that there is never a reason for anyone to go hungry, especially in a country where food is plentiful, and that addressing root causes through education, proper nutrition, compassion and respect is the way forward.
To learn more about the GRPC and our mission, check out our FAQ page.
A Discussion with Mayor MCNamara
Mayor's Hunger Luncheon campaign member Wally Haas and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara recently sat down o discuss the root causes of hunger in this community.
Hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Together - and only together - can we bring an end to this war on hunger.
Check out the full interview HERE!
“Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place for all to live and share.
Keep up the good work.”
– Mary Ann and Bob P
Our Pantries Rely on your support.
Did you know that every dollar you donate to a Coalition Pantry stays local?
That’s because your pantries are primarily staffed by dedicated volunteers, so we can proudly say that 94% of every dollar donated goes directly to client services.
In addition to emergency food assistance, we also provide personal hygiene items, baby formula, diapers and winter gloves and hats for children and adults. All of these items are donated by our community, for our community.
In cooperation with University of Illinois Extension, Prairie State Legal Services, Rock Valley College, and other local resources, we also offer education, legal, and senior referral services.
Unlike a Food Bank that brokers to multiple counties, your donations are making a difference right here in the Rockford area.
They are strengthening our community by providing access to nutritious and healthy foods in our food deserts.
They are ensuring that our children go to bed each night with a full stomach and wake up to a nutritious breakfast.
They prevent disabled and seniors citizens from having to choose between medications and healthy, life-sustaining foods.
If you want your donations to fight hunger and lift up those in need in YOUR 815, please consider a gift to the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition.
“Your generosity makes a powerful difference in our community.
Thank you for generously and graciously joining forces with the Salvation Army.”
— Major Mark Martsolf
Donating to the GRPC helps us transform the greater Rockford area into a stronger, healthier community.
Contact Info
emailGRPC@gmail.com
(815) 965-2466
PO Box 17051
Rockford, IL 61110
“We are deeply grateful that you support the social services we provide to the community.
We have the enviable role of being the Church’s face-to-face presence in the lives of the needy, the lonely, and the sometimes forgotten. The fact that you support those efforts and that together we serve our fellow human beings in one cause, as a community, is an uplifting affirmation of our mission.”