Wheaton center distributes 150 bags of food to DuPage County families

Each bag contained just enough for one family holiday meal, but those picking up food Monday at the Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Center were beyond happy to know they'll have full stomachs on Christmas.

This was the second year Miller-Coors purchased food to be distributed to families at the Wheaton center. This year, 150 bags were donated, each filled with a frozen turkey, stuffing, six cans of vegetables, a five-pound bag of potatoes, gravy and a pie.

Maria Elena Garcia, a single mother from Villa Park, said she was very happy to bring home a bag of food to her three daughters and two brothers. She said she plans to have the meal ready after the family attends a Christmas Mass at church.

With a big smile, Rosa Linda Lopez of West Chicago said she also was very happy to receive the food, which she said will feed her parents and her four children. She said her family is looking forward to eating and enjoying time together on Christmas.

Mark White, chain account manager for Miller-Coors, said the company works with its nine Chicago area distributors to deliver about 3,000 meals to families during the holiday season. He said the hope is to feed about 15,000 people.

“We just like to give back to the communities that we serve and sell our products to,” he said. “We pick an organization in each one of our distributor's areas, something that is important to them. Really, it's just to take care of people who need some help.”

In DuPage County, the Miller-Coors distributor is Euclid Beverage. Two Euclid truck drivers picked up the food from a Jewel store on Monday and delivered it to the center, where another five Euclid employees loaded the food into reusable bags.

“It's a good event for us and it's important for us to be active in the community,” said Larry McGrail, vice president of operations for Euclid Beverage.

Metropolitan Family Services also holds a holiday gift program that serves about 2,000 clients. Donations are still being accepted through the organization's website at metrofamily.org.