Each year, the Pantry benefits from fundraisers and food drives held by service organizations, local businesses, school districts and individuals in the community. Following are some of the annual events:

• Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger®  food drive

• Putt for the Pantry

• Maine West High School Fill the Bus

• Forest School Area Turkey Trot

• St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church food drive

• Jewel/Osco Turkey Dinner and Ham Dinner food drives

• Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Condo Association Food Fight      

Thank you to all of our supporters - we couldn't do this without you!

Directly from the Director

Spring 2023

In our last newsletter, I reported that our food pantry served more than 1,000 individuals in November 2022. That number rose to 1,167 in December 2022 and 1,212 in February 2023. The trend definitely is upward, and the challenge to meet the need definitely is on. Can you help? Please know that any and all food and monetary donations always are appreciated, especially these days.

You might consider becoming a quarterly sponsor by donating at the Gold, Platinum or Diamond Level. We lend out our spiffy Red Barrels (we ordered more, so we have a lot) to collect food donations at your business, church, school, condo. How about at your next party in lieu of gifts?

There are many ways to help our neighbors in need who seek food assistance through our food pantry. Visit the home page for a list of most needed items right now.

As always, thank you to this caring community!

Debra Walusiak, Executive Director