Help ‘Pack the Pantry’ Saturday in Elk Grove

The Community Character Coalition will conduct its annual “Pack the Pantry” day on Saturday, Oct. 22. In conjunction with national “Make a Difference Day” members of the CCC of Elk Grove will mentor area high school students in this most worthy of winter missions.

From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, the CCC of Elk Grove and students will be at Walmart of Elk Grove, and the two Elk Grove Walgreens locations to present shoppers with a list of nonperishable items needed at local food pantries. Shoppers will be asked, as they shop for their families, to please consider buying one or two things for those in need. Some of the items needed are: toothbrushes, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, paper napkins, and paper towels.

“We are always looking for nonperishable items and paper products,” said Nanci Vanderweel, Elk Grove Village Township president. “Food items are essential, but grooming products and nonperishables are needed, too.”

The donations will be collected and distributed between the Elk Grove Village Township pantry and the Elk Grove Village food pantry housed at the Elk Grove Presbyterian Church. Both locations serve Elk Grove Village residents.

The numbers of those requesting assistance has grown through the years.

“In the last couple of years we have experienced a slow and steady increase in those needing assistance,” said Vanderweel. “It would appear that the economy plays a very large part in this, as well as job losses.”

Vanderweel added, “The number of people using our pantry is between 150 and 170 each month. We simply could not make ends meet without the assistance of the CCC at this time of year.”

The CCC of Elk Grove looks to build a core of community strength through the practice of the Six Pillars of Character Counts: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

For information regarding the CCC of Elk Grove, or to become involved, visit www.ccceg.org or call (847) 604-1219.