The Mission in the News

ROCKFORD, Ill.—Once again this year two Rockford area Taco John’s restaurants supported Rockford Rescue Mission with holiday specials. The Machesney Park store at 8304 N. Second Street and the store at 3007 N. Main Street in Rockford donated a portion of each Nachos Navidad® sold through December 25, 2012.

ROCKFORD, Ill.—According to recently released 2011 U.S. Census Bureau figures, the poverty rate in our country is no longer on the rise.  But that’s no consolation to the roughly 46.2 million people who remain below the official poverty line.

ROCKFORD, Ill.—When Sherry Pitney joined Rockford Rescue Mission 30 years ago, she was one of only six employees who handled all the responsibilities that today require a staff of 90.  “We sorted clothes, wrote donation receipts, answered the phone and door, and worked alongside our shelter guests, stocking food, preparing meals and keeping the building clean and in good order.”  Serving as operations director for nearly a decade, she was appointed executive director in 2001, succeeding her husband and co-founder’s son, Perry Pitney, who left the Mission in 1999 and died in 2005. Congratulations from John Ashmen - click here to read more!

You can pick up a sandwich or cup of coffee from any old place, but when was the last time that sandwich or coffee actually changed someone's life? View this article to read more about Restoration Cafe!

ROCKFORD, Ill.—Recent record temperatures created even more burdens for people already suffering the effects of homelessness and poverty and Rockford Rescue Mission was ready to help.

Effects of heat wave can be brutal on the needy in Rock RiverValley

A HUGE Thank You to everyone at Heartland Community Church!! Your gift has been an incredible blessing to our community. We asked for help and in the blink of an eye you guys stepped up!

ROCKFORD, Ill.—Rockford Rescue Mission has announced it will consolidate its two MissionMart locations into a single larger facility in the former Bob’s Ace Hardware building at 2710 20th Street. The Mission will renovate the building and anticipates a grand opening early fall.

Rosecrance helps Vietnam-era vet reach goals after living on the streets

ROCKFORD — Bicyclists are invited to join the Rockford Rescue Mission’s Cycling 4 Hope fundraiser Saturday.

Bison Sports will host the Strikeout Hunger Youth Baseball Tournament benefiting the Rockford Rescue Mission on Saturday and Sunday at the Harlem Community Center Complex (Forest Hills Rd.).

We’re looking forward to learning and benefiting from Mick’s wealth of experience.  He’s a great addition to our staff and will be a tremendous representative of the Mission to the community.”―Executive Director Sherry Pitney

Thank you for supporting our 14th Annual Evening for Hope Telethon!

You helped raise $83,794 to help the homeless, hungry and hurting in our commuity

The Sleep a Night in My Box/Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser at Riverhawks Stadium in Loves Park targets a specific beneficiary...

Eleven volunteers from the US Banks in the northern Illinois and Beloit regions organized the Mission's pantry shelves and storeroom.

Rockford Rescue Mission is running out of meat - beef, poultry and pork -and is issuing a request to the community for help.  The Mission uses nearly 60 pounds of meat per day (nearly 22,000 pounds per year) in the meals it serves to those who come to the Mission for food or shelter. Currently their freezer is holding enough to last for only two to three weeks.