Rock Island County

Contact Info

Network Coordinator: Jessica Lovera-Matter (309) 736-7170 x110 jessical@foreverychild.org

Family Engagement Specialist: Autumn Glass 309-736-7170 x130 autumng@foreverychild.org

Address: EveryChild
524 15th Street
Moline, IL 61265

Healthy Eating, Active Living and Nutritional Literacy working to energize our community’s youth in Rock Island

The Rock Island County All Our Kids (AOK) Network began its work within our community in 2008. Since then, our AOK Network has consistently effectively adapted to reflect the ongoing evolution of our community as it grows and becomes increasingly diverse.

Rock Island County has a population of 142,801; 6% of which are aged 5 and under, and is located on the shores of the Mississippi River as it borders the State of Iowa. As of 2021 (US Census Estimates 2021) our community population was comprised of 69% Caucasian, 14% Hispanic or Latino, 12% African American, 3% multiracial and 2% Asian persons in addition to a large and growing immigrant and refugee population; primarily from Africa and Asia.

Feeding America’s Map, the Meal Gap (2020), shares that 16,590 people are food insecure in RI Co. This number includes 5,750 children 0-18. Within recent years these numbers have grown through the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation.

The AOK Network set out to address the issue of food insecurity through coordinated efforts with Network Partners including the University of Illinois Extension and Augustana College through the creation of a Food Resource Guide. This collaboratively developed Food Resource Guide covers multiple cities, both within and adjacent to our AOK Network’s service region. Each city has a list of food pantries, grocery stores, meal sites, and farmers markets. In addition to food resources; money saving and food tips have been included. The guide’s benefit is further bolstered through a link to an online google map which includes the bus route and PDF which may be accessed via mobile device and further aid with accessibility. Food Resource Guides were distributed to existing AOK Network Partners for them to then share with their client families. Initial supplies of these Guides were quickly taken with Partners expressing continued need.

Impact of the Guides

With these guides we are able to direct clients to appropriate places to find fresh food that is close to them, as it lists food in each city conveniently. This guide helps us direct clients in a faster and easier way.

Network Partner

Before Efforts (2018)

• Caregivers report
  • Smoking in the home
  • Eating less than five servings of fruits and vegetables each day
  • Engaging in physical activity less than three days a week. 
• Identified food deserts
• No digital or paper resource guide

After Efforts (FY 22)

• 3,000+ Food Resource Guides dispersed
• 2 Virtual Poverty Simulations facilitated with service partners to help share insights related to poverty, decision making, and food insecurity
• Community Garden established in an identified food desert
  • 10+ children engaged in the community garden –planting and harvesting vegetables
  • Supported an Increased understanding of healthy eating and active living options
  • Supported an Increased sense of community
  • Creation of green space near Head Start location and on a bus route for community use
  • Positive emotional benefits for those who utilize the garden

The Rock Island County AOK Network is a collaborative place where community partners work together to identify local needs within our Early Childhood Community toward the creation of action plans targeting the making of positive change. By ensuring that local individuals, families, and children have access to nutritious foods, we are investing in our community’s health and ensuring future generations have what they need to succeed.