ROCKFORD (WREX) — In one way or another, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone.
“It can take one thing and your entire world is ripped out from under you. And this has been a huge example of that,” said Teresa Schryver.
Some people were furloughed, and others lost their jobs. Many people needed assistance, for the first time ever.
“A lot of people that never had to ask for help, were seeking out help to us and to have enough food in their kitchens,” said Schryver.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank saw a spike in demand once the pandemic hit. However, after the stimulus checks and unemployment benefits came out, it saw a decrease in customers.
Now that the end of July is creeping up and the benefits are set to expire – “We are gearing up to see a new wave of folks. People that never had to reach out to us because they were getting that additional $600 and that isn’t going to be there anymore,” said Schryver.
The food bank is adding additional distribution sites, pop-up markets, and increasing the number of SNAP benefit applications it gives out.
Putting food on the table isn’t the only thing it can help with.”We can help with rent, help with utilities, health care, anything like that. we can help navigate that for you.”
So when the extra financial help runs out from the government, that doesn’t mean you have to struggle to get by.
This weeks distribution sites are scheduled for Thursday, July 23 at the City First Church and Saturday, July 25 in the parking lot of the old Circuit City.
