A Community United: Feeding Hundreds of Families in Need
In the predawn hours of Sept. 9, at precisely 4:32 a.m., the first vehicle quietly rolled into the parking lot of The Salvation Army's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Rockford. It was the beginning of a day filled with compassion and generosity, as hundreds more vehicles would soon follow suit. By the time the clock struck noon, The Salvation Army had distributed groceries to nearly 700 families at the Pop-Up Food Market.
Two massive semi-shipments of food, generously provided by The Northern Illinois Food Bank, formed the cornerstone of the day's mission and offered a lifeline to those struggling in the community. Jacob Heiser, the Operations Manager for The Salvation Army of Winnebago County, orchestrated the logistics of the day with precision and ensured the event ran like clockwork.
As dawn broke, Major Monty Wandling and a team of dedicated volunteers went car-to-car taking notes for each vehicle in line. Each car was assigned a specific code, such as "3T.” This indicated that the driver was picking up groceries for three families and wished to have them placed in the trunk.
Among those in line was a woman who shared her story, revealing that it was her first time seeking assistance from the community. Her husband's recent illness had led to mounting medical bills, depleting their savings. The arrival of groceries couldn't have been more timely for this couple.
The message from The Salvation Army was clear that day— a reminder that in times of need, it's perfectly okay to seek help. In Major Monty Wandling's words, "You're not alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help. No matter where you are in life, The Salvation Army is here to help you."
Noticing the amount of need in their neighborhood, another family waiting in line had a special mission—to collect groceries for their neighbors. They also planned to use a portion of the food to prepare home-cooked meals and distribute them to the homeless.
As the clock ticked towards 8:00 a.m., the pop-up market opened. Each vehicle rounded the corner of the building, where dozens of eager volunteers stood ready. They swiftly loaded boxes containing a variety of items, including ground beef patties, cereal, canned pears, potatoes, granola, and other groceries.
In the days leading up to the event, the volunteer sign-up list had been a mere handful. However, on that crisp morning, the community's response was nothing short of extraordinary. A sea of orange vests, adorned by Boy Scouts, veterans, students, retirees, and compassionate individuals and families, gathered with a shared mission—to lend a helping hand when it was most needed.
Among the volunteers was Deborah, who arrived with her 12-year-old son. She had heard the plea for help on the evening news and felt compelled to act. Deborah said, "We're a part of this community that we love. It's important for us to serve and help when we can."
Another heartwarming moment of the day was the return of a family who had once waited in line for food at previous pop-up markets. This time, they were not recipients but volunteers, eager to give back to the community that had supported them during challenging times. Their presence was a testament to the power of community support.
As Major Monty Wandling put it, "It's great to see how lives change. Things do get better—you see hope. Today is about the community serving the community, and we're blessed to be a part of that."