Everyone is welcome. The Rock River Valley Pantry offers emergency food assistance to anyone in need, regardless of income, race, or religion. You don't need to meet any specific eligibility requirements to receive help. Just come in during distribution hours at 421 South Rockton Avenue.
You can visit once a month. You may use either the South Rockton Avenue location or the Broadway location, but not both in the same month. If it hasn't been a month yet since your last visit, they may be able to offer a small supplement.
You'll receive up to a four-day food supply for each person in your household. Pantry locations are closed on all major holidays. Parking is available but can be limited on busy days. It's helpful to bring your own bags. The wait is usually not too long, and staff will help carry your groceries to your vehicle.
The pantry provides a four-day supply of nutritious food per person, including meat, available produce, and available dairy items. Milk is available for eligible households, specifically families with children under 18 or adults over 65. You'll also receive bread, rolls, buns, or another bread product, plus a dessert or snack item. Canned and packaged dry goods include cereal, grains (rice or other whole grains), dried beans, canned vegetables, canned or dried fruit, canned soup, and other available miscellaneous items. The pantry also rescues daily donations from local grocery and specialty stores, meaning the selection changes regularly. A seasonal on-site garden at 421 South Rockton Avenue provides fresh produce when in season, with Master Gardeners on hand from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to help with harvesting. Many local gardeners donate their surplus harvest to the pantry, and some plant a row just for clients. Free books for kids are sometimes also available.
The pantry uses a client-choice model. Volunteers guide you through the pantry where you pick your own items from available shelves and stations. Volunteers are there to assist you throughout the process. Staff will help load your groceries to your vehicle.
Several community agencies set up in the RRVP lobby during food distribution hours. Resources available may include SNAP preregistration, University of Illinois Extension programs, Medicare information, and Prairie State Legal Services. The pantry also provides a list of other pantries and soup kitchens to clients who ask.
The pantry accepts monetary donations and food donations. Monetary donations allow the pantry to purchase two to three times more food than an equivalent food donation would provide, and 93% of money given goes directly to program services. You can donate online at the donation form or to the Endowment Fund. Most-needed food items include canned fruit, peanut butter, applesauce, 100% juice, canned vegetables, pasta and rice, canned beans, cereal, tuna, and soup. Food donations stay in the local community. You can also host a food drive. For questions, call 815-965-2466 or email messagerrvp@rrvp.org.
Volunteers are welcome and the only qualification is a desire to help. Opportunities include rescue (helping procure donated goods), warehouse work (sorting, inspecting, packaging, restocking shelves), registration (greeters, registrars, shopping list reviewers), distribution (shoppers, food stations, helping clients with groceries), and special projects (landscaping, painting, event greeters, and more). To apply, complete the online Volunteer Application Form at rrvp.org/volunteering or contact the pantry directly. You can also reach out by calling 815-965-2466 or emailing messagerrvp@rrvp.org.
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