Food giveaway in South Elgin helps local families

South Elgin resident Teresa Gomez did not want to miss her chance to pick up donated food, so she arrived shortly after 7:30 a.m. Saturday at South Elgin High School, knowing she would have to wait at least two hours. By the time the food distribution began, her car was second in a long line that snaked around the parking lot.

“Everybody is struggling right now,” said Gomez, who works as a school janitor and has four children. Her husband was laid off about three years ago and only has found part-time work at a factory. “I think it's good what they do. A lot of people need help.”

The food donation was organized by the Christian-based organization Hands of Hope and the American Heroic Foundation. Each family received 15 pounds of frozen pork, a bag of potatoes, a few loaves of bread, fresh tomatoes, juice, cheese and ham, plus a box filled with soup, cereal, crackers, tortillas, oatmeal and more. Residents could pick up food for up to two families.

Hands of Hope, based in Joliet, runs food donation events year-round in places as far as the Appalachians and South Dakota, but had never done so in South Elgin until it was contacted by the American Heroic Foundation, said Hands of Hope founder Woodie Stiltner. “We have food for about 500 cars. We'll be here until it's all gone,” he said.

The mission of the American Heroic Foundation is to recognize those who quietly serve others, said Ed Bender of Bartlett, whose father, Lee Bender, came up with the concept. “There is so much food wasted, and there are millions of people going hungry,” he said.

Arthur Dorsey of Elgin said he was grateful for the help. Dorsey picked up food for his family, which includes four children ages 6 to 17, and for his elderly neighbor, who doesn't have a car. “Some people can't do it on their own.”

Also carless, Butch Johnson rode his bicycle four miles from his senior housing building in Elgin to pick up a box of food. He planned to push his bike all the way back. “It's great they do this,” he said.