ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A project months in the making opens to those in need, with Northern Illinois Food Bank opening a larger location to better serve those impacted by food insecurity in the region.
Now known as the Neighborhood Market, formerly the Winnebago Community Market, the newly renovated center at 1397 Sandy Hollow Road in Rockford will serve more than 1,400 people each week at no charge to shoppers.
Sean O’Sullivan is a neighbor who traveled from Davis Junction to pick up groceries for his family. He says the food bank is an asset to those down on their luck.
“I, personally, lost my job a while ago,” O’Sullivan shared. “My family relies on it.”
He says this a judgement free zone where a community is built even before you walk through the front doors.
“Once people get in here, they’re on a mission to get food,” O’Sullivan explained. “When you’re out in the line, when you get here early and you’re out in the line, you make friends, you talk and tell people about your day.”
Shannon Thompson is the director of volunteers at the Neighborhood Market. She says this larger space allows for 35 neighbors to shop at a time, 10 more than the previous building allowed. She says it also gives neighbors the opportunity to wait inside, which is a huge benefit when harsh temperatures hit the stateline.
“You have more room and space when you’re shopping so you’ve got a little bit more of feeling more like a regular grocery market,” Thompson explained. “The aisles are larger. You can move around a little bit better and not feel like you’re on top of each other.”
Thompson shares there is also additional space for volunteers to work in groups during distribution.
In the three weeks since they’ve opened for distribution, they’ve had small volunteer shifts of 15 people. They’re hoping for at least 30 down the line.
“We have a good core group right now, they’re here all the time,” Thompson said. “Their compassion for others and their need to want to continue to help is so great, we want more folks like that.”
Thompson says there is at least one point in everyone’s life where they to had to ask for help. This, she says, provides the opportunity to dedicate a few hours to pay kindness forward.
“What a great opportunity to come help your neighbors that maybe have been in need for a long time for food,” Thompson said. “But it might also be they’re situational and they need a little bit of help to come in.”
It’s a big deal to ask for help, so Thompson says they’re looking for people who believe in their message of helping others.
Neighbors can shop once a week. They must check in upon arrival. No proof of income or residence is required.
A US Food grant made it possible for the Neighborhood Market to purchase food temperature-controlled lockers. If a neighbor cannot make it during a distribution day, they can place an order online and pick it up when it is convenient.
Volunteers (ages 12 and up) can:
- Inspect, sort & pack food
- Reload shelves
- Answer questions
- Distribute groceries
- Assist in planning fundraising events
- Much more!
Distribution:
- 1 – 6 p.m. Tuesdays
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays
Volunteer Hours
- Tuesdays
- Shift one – 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Shift two – 3:30 – 6 p.m.
- Thursdays
- Shift one – 8 – 11 a.m.
- Shift two – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other shifts available throughout the week
The Northern Illinois Food Bank provides 250,000 meals each day throughout 13 counties, including Winnebago.
For more information on how to get groceries, donate or volunteer, click here.
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