Pantry Operations

The Rock River Valley Pantry serves on average 6,500 clients a month, and over 70,000 clients annually from the three Pantry locations. We are the largest not-for-profit food pantry in northern Illinois. There is no fee for clients to attend our pantry and to receive food items. We are dependant upon donations, sponsorships and grants to meet the growing need in this community. Our mission is to provide six nutritiously balanced meals for each member in the family and we are only able to do this through the generosity of this community.

Since 2002, RRVP has realized a 27% increase in demand and over one-third of all the food distributed is for children. With Rockford being placed on the State of Illinois' poverty warning list, we expect to see the demand remain consistent with the potential for growth. Currently our client statistics include:

• 61% of all clients are families of two or more
• 39% of all clients are single households and are predominantly male to female by a ration of 2:1
• 62% of all clients use the Pantry monthly; 23% every 2-3 months

As the largest pantry in northern Illinois, it is necessary for us to operate as a small warehouse. At our current location we have a receiving dock and an approximately 7,000 sq. ft warehouse which includes a sorting area, a "clean" room used for repackaging of bulk products, a packing area, and several walk-in coolers and freezers. Our offices include office space for the three full-time employees and a lobby area for the clients.

We are in the neighborhoods that have demonstrated the greatest need. Currently we are providing from the following locations:

• Main Location
  1080 Short Elm, Rockford, IL 61102
  Monday–Friday, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

• Crusader Clinic Pantry
  1100 Broadway, Rockford, IL 61104
  Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–Noon