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Food pantry unveils walk-in freezer, refrigerator

The construction of a walk-in refrigerator and freezer unit was recently completed at the Hanover Township Food Pantry at the Astor Avenue Community Center, 7431 Astor Ave. in Hanover Park.

With this addition, more meats and other fresh food items are now available to township residents who utilize the pantry. Previously, many perishable food items would have to be transferred to other pantries that had freezer space available, making it a rare commodity at the pantry. In FY15, April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, the food pantry served 9,763 families.

"This has been something we have wanted to have at the food pantry for a long time," said Brian P. McGuire, Hanover Township supervisor. "This will allow the pantry to regularly stock needed items like milk, meats and other fresh, healthy food options for our residents."

The Northern Illinois Food Bank awarded the township a $9,000 grant to partially cover the roughly $20,000 cost of the project. The Hanover Township Foundation contributed $7,945, with the township covering the remaining $2,945.

Later this year, the township will look for grants to replace the 7-year-old shopping carts that have experienced heavy usage. An addition of an extra bagging lane is also in the works to improve efficiency during peak times.

The food pantry is open 1-3 p.m. Monday; 1-6 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; and 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Hanover Township serves more than 101,000 residents in portions of the Cook County communities of Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg.

For information on the food pantry, or other Welfare Services programs, call (630) 540-9085.

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