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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Mayoral Luncheon Raises $12,000 For Hunger Prevention In Rockford

Chase Cavanaugh
Members from the organizations in the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition accept an oversized check of the Luncheon's proceeds. Coalition President Leslie Varisco (left) is at the podium.

A recently revived charity luncheon raised $12,000 this year toward feeding the needy in and around Rockford.

The Mayor’s Hunger Luncheon was started by Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara’s father in the 1980s, and served as a fundraiser for hunger prevention into the late 1990s. After a long hiatus, the event was revived last year and raised $10,000. Mayor McNamara credited this year’s boost in funds to the committee that planned it, greater public visibility, and more local sponsors.

“They may have had some hesitancy since it’s the first year that it’s coming back," he said, "and now seeing how many people come to the event, they see that it’s a really well run event and a really wonderful cause." 

This year, the money went to the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition, a group of ten community organizations. McNamara presented an oversize check to Coalition members at a press conference in city hall Friday. He added that this donation is particularly important with regards to the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We also have to remember," he said, "that there's so many families in our community who are in really desperate need, and I think being able to provide that check at this time makes it pretty special.”