The food pantry at St. Elizabeth Center is open to individuals and families in the community who are in need. Guests who don't live in Winnebago County can be served only once and are referred to food pantries in their own area.
Bring these items when you visit for the first time:
There's no stated limit on how often you can visit the food pantry.
Each visit provides a 2 to 3 day supply of food. The pantry is very popular, so plan to wait at least an hour. St. Elizabeth Center is a member of the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
The pantry distributes non-perishable foods including canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, mac and cheese, pancake mix, pancake syrup, pasta sauce, noodles, rice, canned tuna, peanut butter, and jelly. Reviewers mention that you can pick what you want. The center also distributes diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, personal care items such as soap, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, and feminine hygiene products, household cleaning items like dish soap, spray cleaners, and sponges, laundry detergent, and dog and cat food.
Guests visit the pantry in person during open hours and pick out the items they want.
St. Elizabeth Center runs a Soup Kitchen on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM, serving hot meals open to anyone in the community. The Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance program can provide limited financial help with rent, mortgage, and utilities, and can refer you to other community agencies for clothing, baby items, homeless services, senior services, and employment support. Applications are accepted at assistcc.org.
The Clothing Closet provides free men's, women's, and children's clothing, shoes, coats, and accessories to anyone in need. Shoppers can visit the Clothing Closet twice per month. It's open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:30 AM.
Donated household items such as dishes, linens, pots and pans, and decorative items are also available at no cost. Household item shopping is by appointment only, once every three months. Call 815-965-6993 to schedule.
Donations are accepted only during hours of operation, Monday through Friday. Please don't leave donations outside the doors. The center does not accept furniture.
Food pantry donations include non-perishable foods (canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, mac and cheese, pancake mix, pasta sauce, noodles, rice, canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly), diapers, wipes, personal care items, household cleaning products, laundry detergent, and dog and cat food.
Clothing Closet donations include clean, gently used women's, men's, children's, and infant clothing, coats, shoes and boots, purses, belts, and ties.
Household donations include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, towels, bedding, rugs, and curtains.
Monetary donations can be made online at catholiccharities.rockforddiocese.org/donate or by mailing a check payable to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rockford, P.O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125. You can also donate via Stripe. Food donations are accepted daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Volunteers are needed in the Food Pantry (open 5 days a week) to unload food trucks, stock and organize food, pack food bags and boxes, and distribute food. Volunteers are also needed in the Clothing Closet (open 2 mornings a week) to sort and hang clothes and assist shoppers.
To learn more, contact Tracy Dixon, Program Director, at tdixon@rockforddiocese.org or 815-965-6993. Download the Volunteer Application form and the Volunteer Intake form to get started.
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 requireme
Everyone is welcome. The Rock River Valley Pantry offers emergency food assistance for you, your family, and even your pets. There are no restrictions on who can come in for help.
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