Man dresses as Santa Claus to get donations for Elgin pantry

Dave Baum spends countless cold hours every winter dressed as Santa Claus in his front yard while encouraging drivers and passers-by to contribute donations to an Elgin pantry.

On Thursday morning, the Elgin resident and a neighbor dropped off the contents of his collection efforts: Two pickup trucks filled with canned goods, paper goods, dish soap, laundry detergent. The recipient was the All People's Interfaith Food Pantry in downtown Elgin.

"He's a very caring gentleman," pantry manager Joan Wesner said. "The pantry feels very fortunate to have him."

Baum, who works as a pipe fitter for the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, has been collecting contributions for the pantry for several years. The practice was started by Bob and Nancy Clausen, who live down the street from him in the Woodbridge South subdivision in Elgin, Baum said.

"It's a neighborhood thing," he said. "People need to eat, and this is a good cause."

Early each December, Baum puts a trash can in his yard where people can drop off donations - both money and goods - for the pantry. Starting mid-December until Dec. 30, he dons his Santa suit and hangs out in his yard for two to three hours a day while actively soliciting neighbors and others to join in the effort.

This year's monetary donations totaled $1,300, the most he's ever collected, said Baum, who then uses the money to buy pantry goods. "It's the whole neighborhood, it's not just me," he said repeatedly.

Neighbor Matt Trygar, who helped him drop off the donations, said Baum deserves the spotlight.

"I think he's awesome what he does," Trygar said. "It's about helping people out when they need the help."