By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A grassroots nonprofit that was at risk of losing the space where it provides free groceries has been spared from being forced out.
Voices of Inspiration, which operates a free food pantry from a former Rockford Public Library branch at 3112 N. Rockton Ave., was awarded a $15,000 grant this week from the Kiwanis Club of Rockford so it can pay its rent and continue to operate in northwest Rockford. That money, combined with previous grants over the past four months, has extended Voices ability to pay rent while it works to cement its long-term future.
Darlene Riddle, chairwoman of the Kiwanis Club’s endowment commitment, delivered the check to Vivian Lott, the nonprofit’s founder, and volunteer Rowena Bernel on Monday.
“We shared hugs and tears,” Riddle said. “It was very emotional.”
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Voices of Inspiration started with pop-up giveaways from a church parking lot more than five years ago, but it has operated biweekly giveaways from the Rockton Avenue location since shortly after the library branch closed in March 2021.
However, Voices could no longer cover its rent after another nonprofit it shared space with moved out. In March, it started looking for a new home after it couldn’t afford rent. But it was buoyed by several donors who provided money that allowed it to make rent the past few months, including the city of Rockford, NiReach, Rockford Housing Authority and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. It also receives donations from Walmart and Illinois Food Bank.
“The support has been awesome,” Lott said. “Voices of Inspiration is just grateful that we’re able to keep our doors open and keep serving the people.”
The actual check Riddle delivered Monday was for $14,500 because that was all that was immediately available in the Kiwanis endowment fund. The additional $500 will be delivered at a later time when the money is released from the endowment.
“We’re getting another allocation at the end of July, but we knew they had dire straits so we wanted to get as much as we had to them,” Riddle said.
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Voices runs free food pantries from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. This year it has seen the need substantially increased. Last year, the nonprofit served a total 3,825 people. This year through June it’s already served 6,200, according to Lott.
“There is a lack of food options on the west side. I’ve heard it called a food desert there,” Riddle said. “It’s really important that they have food available to a lot of needy people.”
Kiwanis Club of Rockford benefits about 20 organizations each year. Other groups it is supporting this year include KFACT, which is a youth development and mentoring program, RAMP, which serves people with disabilities, and Natural Land Institute for its family nature adventure program, and a program that provides affordable school uniforms for students.