Rockford Rescue Mission

Who Can Visit?

Rockford Rescue Mission is open to anyone who is hungry, homeless, or hurting. The shelter serves men, women, and children. Meals are available to anyone in need. Check-in is available to individuals 24/7 at 715 West State Street.

Men enter from the east side off Rockton Avenue. Women and children enter from the north side off Mulberry Street. You can reach the Mission by phone at 815-965-5332 or by email at info@rockfordrescuemission.org.

Food & Essentials

The Mission serves nourishing meals to anyone in need, averaging over 393 meals daily. A Google Maps reviewer noted that breakfast is served at 7am, lunch at 11:30am, and dinner at 5pm on weekdays. On Sundays, lunch is at 1:30pm and dinner is at 6pm. The reviewer described "a great variety of foods served that meets average dietary needs."

For shelter guests, meals are included as part of the stay. The Mission also provides clothing and shoes, as well as hygiene and personal care essentials to people experiencing homelessness.

How to Pick Up

Meals are served in the dining hall on-site at 715 West State Street. Anyone in need can come to eat. There's no cost for meals.

Additional Support

Rockford Rescue Mission offers a wide range of services beyond meals:

• Medical, Dental, and Chiropractic Services through the Hope Clinic on-site
• Educational Support and Job Training through the Connection Center (Works! Center)
• Community Resource Advocacy to connect guests with other community services
• Life Recovery Programs: A 9-12 month residential program for men, women, and women with children facing chemical dependency, chronic homelessness, domestic violence, or destructive patterns. The program includes life skills, mentoring, Bible study, art and music therapy, physical fitness, and recovery and relapse prevention training. Child care assistance is available for women with children. The program is completely free.

Case managers are available to guide guests to community agencies that can help with housing and other needs.

Facilities

Shelter guests receive a daily shower and a place to store belongings. Money can be stored in a safe so guests can save toward getting their own place. There's also a place to charge portable phones.

Ways to Give

There are several ways to support the Mission:

• Financial donations: Give online at rockfordrescuemission.org or become a monthly "Hope Giver" partner
• Amazon Wish List: Order needed items at amazon wish list and ship directly to Current Needs, Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102
• Drop-off donations (food and household items): Food donations can be brought to the Food Service entrance off Mulberry Street on weekdays between 8am and 4pm
• Thrift Store donations (clothing and household goods): Drop off at the Thrift Store at 2710 20th Street, Rockford, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm. Use the covered drive-thru at the rear of the store. For large item pickup, call 815-316-0607 or text photos to 815-298-3577
• Urgently needed items include backpacks, dryer sheets, detergent, dish soap, toilet paper, bottled water, canned vegetables, instant rice, and coffee, among others

All Thrift Store proceeds directly benefit the Mission's programs. Donations are tax-deductible.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers serve guests, residents, and staff in a wide variety of roles. Whether you're an individual, a family, a group, or an organization, there's a place for you. You can help serve or prepare food, work at the Thrift Store sorting donations or helping customers, and more.

To sign up, visit the volunteer info and registration page at rockfordrescuemission.galaxydigital.com. For questions, email volunteer@rockfordrescuemission.org or call 815-316-4151.