Empower Boone, Inc., fka Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry

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.