Mt. Prospect food pantry in need of donations

As the holiday season approaches, Social Workers in Mount Prospect's Human Services Department are concerned about filling baskets in the Holiday Meal Basket program. The Village's food pantry is extremely low at this time. The program, which usually provides meals for at least 100 families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is in need of donations - both food and financial.

The program is seeking donations of the following items: turkeys, canned hams, mashed potato mix, turkey gravy, canned ravioli, spaghetti o's, beef stew, chicken & dumplings; dried beans; rice; crackers; snack foods; and canned fruit, nuts, olives, and pasta sauce. In addition to holiday foods we are always in need of paper products, diapers in all sizes, napkins, toilet paper, etc.

There are several ways you can help!

The Mount Prospect Fire Department is conducting a food drive at Randhurst Village on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fire Department vehicles and staff will be stationed in the Costco and Jewel parking lots accepting non-perishable food item and cash/gift certificate donations.

Le Peep Café of Mount Prospect is chipping in. Through Nov. 9, Le Peep will give customers $1 off their check for every food item donated for the Mount Prospect Food Pantry (up to $10 per check, per visit). On Nov. 9, they will have a “Dine and Share Day” - if you mention the Mount Prospect Food Pantry, Le Peep will donate 15 percent of your check to the food pantry.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to distribute any opened, homemade, or out of date food products of any kind.

In order to allow time for distribution for the holiday program, please bring non-perishable food items in by Nov. 14, and frozen turkeys or canned hams in on Nov. 19.

Items may be dropped off at the Human Services Department, 50 S. Emerson Street, Second Floor, Mount Prospect. For further information, contact the Human Services Department at 847-870-5680.