Rockford Mayor's Hunger Campaign returns with new partnership

The Mayor’s Hunger Campaign is partnering with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) this year in its efforts to raise money to fight hunger in the Rockford area.

The foundation will collect and process donations for the fundraising campaign that launched Wednesday, May 15.

Donations to the Mayor’s Hunger Campaign are equally distributed among nine local pantries that make up the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition: Rock River Valley Pantry; Christian Unity Pantry; Unity in the Community/Lighthouse Pantry; St. Elizabeth Pantry; Cornucopia Pantry; Salvation Army Pantry; Emmanuel Lutheran Pantry; God’s Glory Pantry; and Soul Harbor Pantry.

The Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition was formed in 1994 to feed the hungry, raise awareness about issues surrounding food insecurity and pool resources.

The Mayor's Hunger Campaign dates back to the 1980s when Rockford mayors would host an annual Hunger Luncheon fundraiser. The effort was inactive for several years in the 2000s and brought back with in 2017 by Mayor Tom McNamara.

Your turn: Hunger campaign highlights how great the need is

After the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts shifted from an annual fundraising luncheon to an ongoing awareness and fundraising campaign.

The 2023 Mayor’s Hunger Campaign raised more than $50,000.

To donate, visit greaterrockfordpantrycoalition.com and click on “DONATE.” Donations also can be made by mail to Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition (GRPC), PO Box 17051, Rockford , IL 61110.

All donations are tax-deductible.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Mayor's Hunger Campaign returns with new partnership