Shelves nearly bare at Milton Township food pantry

The Milton Township food pantry is starved for cash.

And unless there's a rapid influx of donations, the hundreds of people who rely on the Wheaton facility may have to look elsewhere to feed themselves and their families.

The pantry, which is supported entirely by donations, has seen contributions plummet since 2009. During that time, the pantry's expenses have exceeded its income every year.

As a result, the more than $22,000 the pantry had in the bank in 2008 has been whittled to $681.

On Thursday, township officials said they fear the pantry won't have enough cash for its next monthly order on Oct. 10. Officials usually spend $1,500 to $1,800 a month to purchase supplies from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

"We are totally broke and will likely have to close our doors or drastically reduce our assistance to folks," Milton Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn said.

The pantry has been operating since 1985 in space donated by the township inside its building at 1492 N. Main St.

All the money raised by the pantry is used to buy food and toiletries. The pantry has no overhead because it's run by volunteers.

The pantry does benefit from residents bringing in food and schools having food drives. It also gets a weekly shipment of nearly expired items donated by large grocery chains.

Still, the pantry buys many of the items it provides to needy residents. The food bank gives the pantry "a great deal" on orders, according to Heidorn.

"We get a much better deal than what people get at the grocery store," he said.

Heidorn said he believes the poor economy could explain why donations have dropped dramatically.

"Donations have been dribbling in," he said. "But they're much smaller than they used to be - and much less frequent."

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed and underemployed township residents using the pantry each month has remained steady.

Jackie Jones, a senior caseworker with the township's general assistance department, said the pantry provides food to about 500 people.

"We're seeing families that had to dip into their pensions and their 401ks and are going into foreclosure," Jones said. "Basically, they have nothing now."

Jones said she's worried the pantry will need to reduce the size of its monthly order to whatever it can afford. That could result in people not getting enough food.

"Nobody should go hungry in Wheaton," Heidorn said.

In the meantime, volunteers are trying to do whatever they can to keep the pantry open.

"I am praying and hoping for a miracle," Heidorn said. "I need an angel to come in here and help us out."

Donations can be sent to Milton Township Food Pantry, 1492 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Food also can be dropped off at the pantry. For details, call (630) 668-1616.