Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry formed its Board of Directors in April 2004; and opened its doors on February 1, 2005. We are a 501(c)(3) agency and are registered with the Attorney General’s Office and are members of the Chamber of Commerce. Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry’s mission is to help those facing hard times until they are able to be self-sufficient. Our goal is to give people hope and to make a difference in their lives. The Boone County area’s economical position has been on high alert during recent years. In 2009, it was placed on the State of Illinois’ Poverty Warning List by the Heartland Alliance’s Mid American Institute on Poverty in its 2009 Report on Illinois Poverty. As of August 2010, the number of unemployed individuals in Boone County was nearly 4,000 as reported by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This number is not adjusted for individuals who have exhausted all unemployment benefits and are still searching for work. The current population of Boone County is approximately 54,000. Currently, the unemployment rate in Boone County is at 10.2%. Twenty-seven percent of the population is living in poverty. The Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry was established to serve those underprivileged in the Boone County area. We seek to serve all residents who fall below the poverty level income guidelines as established by the Department of Human Services. Not only do we offer our clients food products, but we also offer non-food and clothing items. In the non-food area, we offer products such as shampoo, diapers, cleaning products, and light bulbs. Our clients also have access to furniture, appliances, and much more. No money ever exchanges hands between clients and the pantry. We also offer a job readiness program to assist in making our clients become more employable. We have worked diligently to develop meaningful partnerships with outside agencies that work with us to provide services such as mental healthcare, nutritional information, and assistance applying for State aide; such as SNAP benefits or LIHEAP.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (815) 569-1571 to book your appointment.
Address :
200 S Fifth St,
Capron, IL 61012.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Capron
Help Residents of Counties:
- Boone
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (815) 569-1571 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.