Rockford pastor pushes for food pantry permit amidst community need

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Sonji Collins requested a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the City of Rockford to operate a food pantry in a building she owns.

The building located at 840 Mattis Avenue was formerly the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Rockford. Collins bought it in 2023 and has used it as a community center for the House of God church that she is pastor of ever since.

Collins used the back room of the new building as a food pantry for residents in need.

“We are trying to connect and communicate with the neighborhood to find out what their needs are so that we can holistically meet those needs,” Collins said.

The pastor said she quickly realized how dire the need for a pantry was in this area.

“We began to observe residents walking up and down the street in order to get food or other essential items that they needed,” Collins said. “They had to walk all the way to 11th Street without any form of transportation.”

Alberto Carrión is the Executive Director at Carpenter’s Place, another pantry in the community. He said there is food insecurity in Rockford.

“It’s really a serious issue in our community,” Carrión said. “There’s a lot of providers in the area that we all try to do the best that we can, but there’s just a lot of people that don’t have the resources that they need.”

Collins said she has been working with 6th Ward Alderwoman Aprel Prunty on everything she needs to get done for this SUP to be approved.

“I carry grocery bags in my car because I see people walking, but Pastor Sonji will pick you up and take you to your destination,” Ald. Prunty said. “She sees a need. I see a need and I’m glad that she’s addressing it, and I hope that it’s no problem.”

Collins said she wants the SUP for the pantry and is willing to do whatever the city asks of her so that she can continue to serve her community.

“We’re trying to acquire the food that is needed and necessary for them in order for their tables not to be empty and for their bellies to be full,” Collins said. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The Code and Regulation Committee met and approved the SUP Tuesday night. It will now move to the full Council for a vote June 2.