Meet the challenge!

Mayor’s Hunger Campaign needs help from you

The nine pantries that make up the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition can't feed the individuals who struggle to put good, nutritious food on their tables without your help.

Donations have been coming in for the Mayor's Hunger Campaign, which raises money to support the pantry coalition, since mid-May. The campaign is well short of its goal to raise $45,000.

That goal is within reach because an anonymous benefactor has stepped up with a $15,000 match challenge. This benefactor will match any donation made between now and Sept. 8 up to $15,000. Rockford residents love a challenge and I hope this is a challenge they strive to meet and exceed.

The match, added to money already collected, would get us to the $45,000 goal, which will help cover one month's expenses for the pantries. That doesn't seem like a lot, but it would go a long way toward helping the families who don't have enough to eat.

And there are many. The total number of individuals served by Rock RIver Valley Pantry, the largest of the nine, increased 95 percent In June from June of last year.

Those 65 and older are particularly vulnerable with an increase of 110 percent. Social Security is not enough.

Kevin Goodrich, president of the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition, said during a news conference Monday that the need is about 2.5 times more than what it was two years ago. We've all felt the impact of inflation on our grocery bills and that impact is even greater on those who are living paycheck to paycheck.

The number of first-time clients, men and women who never thought they would have to seek assistance, is up more than 20 percent. Pantry volunteers have told me stories about men and women who were in tears because they couldn't provide for their families. Some were so embarrassed they barely looked up when they received their food. No one should have such an experience.

The root causes that lead people to go to pantries to meet their nutrition needs are many and not easy to solve. If we are to transform Rockford, we must make the health, welfare and education of all residents a priority. That will take a lot of time and effort, but meanwhile we can address present needs.

You can learn more about the local pantries by going to the Mayor's Hunger Campaign Facebook page. A different pantry will be highlighted each week with a sentence about how your donation helps.

For example, on Tuesday, Soul's Harbor was featured. “Your $23 donation stays right here in the community and buys 51 cans of vegetable soup.”

The buying power of the pantries exceeds what you could buy and donate. That's why monetary donations go further than donations of food to help those in need.

The Mayor's Hunger Campaign started as the Mayor's Hunger Luncheon in the 1980s. It went strong until a few years after the turn of the century and then was discontinued for about a decade. It was revived in 2017 by Mayor Tom McNamara and was a luncheon event until COVID turned our worlds upside down.

The last three years it's been a virtual campaign, but committee members decided that it's time to resurrect the physical event to complement the fundraising efforts. It also will be a celebration to thank those who donated to the campaign.

The Mayor's Hunger Campaign breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 26 at the indoor Rockford City Market. Tickets will be $20 per person and will be available via eventbrite soon. There are about 150 seats so I encourage you to get your tickets as soon as they become available. Check the Hunger Campaign's Facebook page for details.

The committee, of which I am a member, is looking for sponsors to offset the costs of the breakfast. Contact me via email and I'll connect you with the appropriate committee member.

Go to greaterrockfordpantrycoalition.com, click on “DONATE.” Or mail your check to: Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition (GRPC), PO Box 17051, Rockford , IL 61110.

No one should go hungry. Thank you for your support.

Wally Haas is executive director of Transform Rockford. His email address is whaas@transformrockford.org .