A service for our congregation
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
—Galatians 6:2
First Free Rockford
COVID-19 Online Help Center
During this global health emergency, First Free Rockford has financial assistance available for those in need from our church family.
If you need assistance with the online form submission below, call the main office at 815-877-7046. We will do our best to have someone from the church contact you within 24 hours.
Financial Assistance
People with lost or reduced income can request help with groceries and essentials. Our Benevolence team will oversee request and disbursement of funds.
Important instructions
Before applying, you will need the following information available (some fields may not apply):
- Hours of work lost per week
- Projected wages lost
- Additional monthly income:
- Social security
- Disability
- Government aid
- Food stamps
- Child Support
- Current monthly needs:
- Mortgage and/or rent
- Groceries
- Automotive and gasoline
- Utilities
Other Resources
Reference the lists below for other community resources offering services during this time of crisis.
Rockford ministries offering COVID-19 help
ROCK HOUSE KIDS – 1325 Seventh St. 815-962-5067. Delivering food to families currently being served if they know the address. Children are not going to Rock House at this time. Staff will reassess on March 31.
ROCKFORD RESCUE MISSION – 715 W. State St. 825-965-5332 – Offering “to go” meals at 7 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. Only Life Recovery residents and overnight Crisis guests are dining inside (with social distancing). Donations of cash, food and emergency supplies gladly accepted. Thrift Store, 2710 20th St., closed until further notice.
CARPENTER’S PLACE – 1149 Railroad Ave. 815-964-4105 – Currently focusing exclusively on serving our homeless population. Only one person can go to the counter for lunch at a time because of social distancing.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST – 1288 S. Alpine Road, 815-399-7203 – Working online with their students as much as possible, though there is still some one-to-one contact. Collecting food for those in need who are in their program.
SALVATION ARMY – Social Services Office, 416 S. Madison St. Food pantry by appointment only. Call 815-972-1135. Prayer counseling: 815-977-4530.
Other Community Resources
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK is the epicenter for the food banks in our area. On the webpage, insert a zip code and it will list all the food banks in the area.
UNITED WAY OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY – dial 211 to get the latest information. A live person answers the phone 24/7 to advise residents of Winnebago and Ogle counties about food, rent, utilities, child care and more. Emerging Needs Fund addresses local hardship. Info: 815-968-5400.
LIFESCAPE – Serving seniors with meals and other services.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Info provided by City of Rockford; no appointments are needed for both sites.
UIC HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS
1601 Parkview Avenue | Website
- Open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. seven days a week
- This site is designed for patients experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
- Testing involves a self-nasal swab.
- The site is a collaborative effort with federal, state, and local partners, including the National Guard, Illinois Department of Public Health, Winnebago County Emergency Operations Center and the UIC Health Sciences Campus – Rockford.
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL
5110 Auburn Street
- Open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
- This site is designed for patients experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, as well as individuals who have been in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 and individuals with a compromised immune system or serious chronic medical condition.
- Test is a nasopharyngeal swab administered by medical staff from Crusader Community Health.
- The site is run by Crusader Community Health with support from the Illinois Department of Public Health.