Food pantry sees donations go down, need go up
Even during times of relative prosperity, an unfortunate number of people find themselves short of money and in need of help to get by.
For nearly 40 years, the Woodridge Community Pantry has helped families by distributing food and personal items.
The pantry, serving all of DuPage County, has seen good times when donors are able to give and the need for help dips. And the pantry has felt the squeeze of the past few years, when donors are cautious and able to give less just as more families find themselves looking for help.
Pantry supporters hope its sold-out annual fundraiser, a cabaret dinner auction Sunday, April 25, in Lisle, brings in $100,000 to fight hunger in DuPage County while ongoing collection drives help families take care of their homes and each other with necessities and niceties.
Executive Director Barbara Schmith tells us more about the Woodridge Community Pantry.
Q. What is your mission? A. We seek to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for those we serve.Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal? A. We provide free food, which includes fresh meat, eggs, cheese, milk and produce as well as nonperishable food items. We also sponsor free classes in nutrition, English as a Second Language, GED preparation, child safety and car seat distribution. We offer a helping hand while also offering a hand up.Q. Whom do you serve? A. We serve those in need in all of DuPage County.Q. When and why did the pantry start? How has it grown? A. The Woodridge Community Pantry literally traces its roots to a closet in a Woodridge church that provided food for those in need in the 1970s. In 1992 the pantry incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is now housed in a 6,000-square-foot warehouse, with an additional 2,000 square feet of off-site storage.Q. What kind of successes have you had? A. In our last fiscal year, we distributed 965,344 pounds of food to 31,286 people. We currently provide breakfast each school day for almost 1,000 children whose families qualify for the free or reduced fee lunch program, a total of 154,350 breakfasts per year.Q. What challenges does the organization face? A. With the increasing number of those in need, our challenge is to continue to raise funds to serve those who come to our door.Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with the pantry? A. I believe they would be surprised by the depth of the need in DuPage County and also the amount of assistance people can get from our pantry. We are the third largest pantry in the Northern Illinois Food Bank service area.Q. How can readers get involved? A. Please visit our Web site at wcpinc.org for full details on volunteering and a calendar of events for the year.Vital stats Requests for help per month: Close to 1,000 households Budget: $350,000 Funding: 40 percent from individual donors; remainder from businesses, civic organizations, churches and fundraising Full-time employees: 1Volunteers: 150 Wish list: Money for pantry to buy food at 18 cents per pound; diapers; donations from food drivesTo donate: 6809 Hobson Valley Drive, Unit 118, Woodridge IL 60517 To volunteer: Anne Banks at (630) 512-9921 or volunteer@wcpinc.orgInfo: (630) 512-9921 or wcpinc.org <p class="factboxheadblack">How to help</p><p class="News">These are the current and upcoming collection drives at the Woodridge Community Pantry. Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays at 6809 Hobson Valley Drive, Unit 118, Woodridge. For information or other drives, visit <a href="http://wcpinc.org" target="new">wcpinc.org</a> and click on "calendar."</p><p class="breakhead">Bucket Brigade</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Drive to collect spring cleaning supplies for needy families</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> April</p><p class="News"><b>Details: </b>Fill a bucket with cleaning supplies such as window, all-purpose and toilet cleaners; sponges; paper towels; laundry detergent</p><p class="breakhead">Mother's Day Collection</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Drive to collect toiletries and treats for mothers in need</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> Through May 7</p><p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Suggested items are toiletries, cologne and makeup; children visiting the pantry can choose an item for their mom or moms can pick one for themselves</p>