Nonprofit leaders in Illinois face budget cuts threatening services

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Local nonprofit leaders gathered at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to discuss budget cuts that are threatening services.

“We’re asking how many more people will come to our door? Will we have enough food to serve all those that come to our door? Will the donations we receive match the need,” said CEO of Rock River Valley Pantry, Tabitha Endres-Cruz.

The nonprofit receives free food from a federal program, but recent cuts have limited its supplies. At the same time, the number of people needing help has increased, making the pantry rely heavily on donations.

“Last year alone, we served 82,302 individuals. That’s record numbers. Doesn’t matter who you are, what walk of life you’re in, whatever your background is. Everybody deserves basic human needs, which is food,” shared Endres-Cruz.

Endres-Cruz spoke at a listening session this week to share concerns with the CFNIL.

“The need is going up and up and up, but the dollars that are available are going down. There are a lot of nonprofits that don’t know if they’re going to be able to continue to get the funding that they’ve traditionally gotten from these governmental sources,” said CFNIL president James Patterson. 

Endres-Cruz said she’s hopeful those in leadership heard and understood them.

“We just don’t know how long and how many we can truly serve. And we’re not alone, we’re not alone in this. There’s other pantries across the area who are facing the same questions daily, and how much longer can they go on what we have,” explained Endres-Cruz.

Despite the struggles, Endres-Cruz emphasized they will continue to serve those as best as they can.