By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Leaders of multiple organizations that feed the hungry and shelter the homeless in the Rockford area came together Monday for the start of a weeklong push to build support for the agencies that work to address poverty.
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual educational and fundraising campaign held the week before Thanksgiving. This year’s theme is “Volunteer. Educate. Donate.”
“We need to think not just about our own loved ones during this time, but about our collective loved ones as our neighbors and fellow Rockfordians or fellow residents who live in Winnebago County,” Mayor Tom McNamara said at a news conference at SecondFirst Church, which will serve as an emergency overnight shelter starting Jan. 4.
He said members of the Northern Illinois Homeless Coalition and the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition work in conjunction to address multiple needs of the poor.
“The challenges of those who are homeless stretch beyond any immediate need,” the mayor said. “Their problems run deep and require in-depth assistance over a period of time to reach sustainability.”
Sarah Parker-Scanlon, the executive director of Shelter Care Ministries and vice president of the homeless coalition, shared statistics about some of the support member agencies have offered in the past year. The work includes:
- 48,201 nights of emergency shelter
- 252 people placed in transitional housing
- 399 people placed in rapid rehousing
- 293 people placed in permanent supportive housing
- 205,888 meals served to hungry people
“The numbers tell part of a story,” she said. “These numbers also represent people’s lives and their journey from homelessness to housing.”
Kay Larrick, executive director of Carpenter’s Place, said work to support the poor and homeless lifts the whole community.
“As they are better, we too are better,” she said.
How to help
Go to the Northern Illinois Homeless Coalition’s website at rockriverhomelesscoalition.com to learn more about the member agencies and how you can volunteer or donate.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter @KevinMHaas.