ROCKTON (WREX) — The history of Old Stone Church in Rockton dates back before the village was officially founded.
According to the church's website, settlers came to the area in 1837 "to form a congregation to offer Christian nourishment and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ."
Today, the church stands on the corner of Blackhawk Boulevard and East Union Street on the main drag of town.
However, the legacy of Old Stone has grown beyond just the congregation itself.
In the building's basement is a food pantry, with shelves fully stocked with food to give to families in need.
It's a service created by Donn Van Schelven in 1994.
"We wanted to do something positive for the community," Van Schelven said.
"We met with the Stateline Minister's Association and visited food pantries on both sides of the stateline and we came up with a food pantry of our own."
The idea was born out of a desire to help churches in the area who noticed a large need for food resources in the community.
"A lot of the ministers said they had people popping into their churches on a regular basis looking for food. So when I decided to do this all the churches said great," Van Schelven said.
What started as a small operation helping around a dozen families a week 27 years ago has grown into a well-oiled machine of a service helping close to 90 families a week.
The Rockton Food Pantry has become as meaningful to the volunteers as it is to the people utilizing the service.
"It's a great experience. The volunteers here are terrific. We're like a family. A dysfunctional family but a family," David Grutze said.
"It gives us an opportunity to pay it forward and to help others."
For people who have grown up in Rockton, like Greg McMaster, the pantry has not only helped people in need, but provided some perspective for the rest of the community.
"I actually grew up going to this church as a child. I never realized how much we need in this area because I think we take a lot of things for granted," McMcaster said.
Like many food pantries, Rockton's needs to be self-sustaining.
All of the food provide comes straight from the organizers and volunteers.
Thankfully, the community donates to the pantry to help keep it going.
It's something that continues to surprise Van Schelven in the best way.
"In a time of need, the community rises. I'm just amazed at how nice and how generous people in this community are," Van Schelven said.
The Rockton Food Pantry wanted to give special thanks to the Roscoe V.F.W., Roscoe United Methodist Church, Rockton American Legion and Roctkon School District for their help in getting the food pantry open 27 years ago.
If you know any other person or group making an impact in our community, you can fill out a nomination form here or you can email eleake@wrex.com.
"close" - Google News
March 09, 2021 at 03:02AM
https://ift.tt/2PA52qn
Rockton Food Pantry feeding families in need for close to 30 years - WREX-TV
"close" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QTYm3D
https://ift.tt/3d2SYUY
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Rockton Food Pantry feeding families in need for close to 30 years - WREX-TV"
Post a Comment