Boone County Food Pantry has been beset by the harsh reality of a new year. Monetary donations are down 80 percent. On the horizon is more demand for food, clothing and household goods as unemployment benefits run out in a region hit hard by joblessness. 162 new people came through the pantry’s doors in December when, overall, more than 1,700 received food that is distributed each Tuesday of the month. And the demand is continuing to show an increase so far in January.
Boone County has about 51,182 residents with 6,051 of them living in poverty.
pantry is located on Fifth Avenue, one block south of Route 173, in Capron….Food is distributed 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Qualified families are allowed to come once a month and leave with three boxes of food. Each must sign in and provide proof that he or she continues to live in Boone County.
No one has to show proof of income. But the penalties for taking food without being qualified are severe: a fine of up to $25,000 and/or five years in prison.
Click on the following for more details: The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Pantries struggle as donations slow in the new year
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