DuPage officials 'Do Good' to launch new giving campaign

Of all the ways to do a good deed, preparing holiday meals at a food pantry is a classic.

DuPage elected officials, including county board Chairman Dan Cronin and Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, took part in this timeless way of giving back by packing holiday meals for Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Naperville, which plans to distribute them to roughly 3,200 families this season.

The afternoon of offering help on Tuesday was part of Giving DuPage's Do Good DuPage Campaign, which aims to involve 150,000 DuPage County residents in doing good deeds to transform the community.

"We are trying to be a good example and show that this is the spirit of giving and charitable contributions," Cronin said. "We realize there are volunteers here that are working with Loaves & Fishes every day. These people are doing God's work, and so we want to demonstrate that we respect what they are doing and we support what they are doing."

The Do Good DuPage campaign's website lists potential ways to help, such as tutoring, offering medical expertise, joining a volunteer board, writing articles to support a cause, getting a local government to issues a proclamation supporting a cause, becoming a mental health advocate, donating a car, hosting an online food drive, collecting shave kits, grooming products or diaper kits, or honoring volunteers at a "volapalooza" event.

The website so far says the campaign has reached 1 percent of its goal.

The elected officials' effort on Tuesday aided Loaves & Fishes with preparing holiday meal packages - each with more than 20 items, including rolls, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, a turkey and pie - for families in need.

"The Loaves & Fishes team and the volunteers who are here really exemplify the spirit of volunteerism in Naperville, and it's just so good to see it," Chirico said.

"It makes you feel like there is help for people who need help, especially during the holidays when people go through difficult times."

The pantry typically serves about 750 families a week who shop at a market filled with fresh produce, meat, dairy and other staples from the charity's 22 grocery partners.

During the holidays, Loaves & Fishes expects its weekly client list to grow to more than 900 families, said Michelle Iskowitz, associate director of marketing and communications.

With so many people served, officials called Loaves & Fishes a great safety net for DuPage County residents.

"This," Cronin said, "is what makes our community special."

• Daily Herald staff photographer Daniel White contributed to this report.