Pantry in desperate need of donations
On Sept. 20, the Milton Township Food Pantry received what may be its last food delivery from Northern Illinois Food Bank. There is no more money with which to buy food, and our shelves will soon be bare.
The Milton Township Food Pantry has served the communities of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and southern Carol Stream for over 20 years, but we may soon be forced to close our doors.
We rely solely on the generosity of our citizens to stock the food pantry, as no tax dollars are involved. Food drives by the Boy Scouts, U.S. Postal Service workers and local schools and churches are a great help, but we serve an average 550-plus individuals per month.
And while we can purchase food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank at greatly reduced rates, it still costs the pantry approximately $1,700 per month to adequately stock our shelves.
The food pantry is administered by the township's general assistance caseworkers, operated from donated space in our township offices and staffed by some truly wonderful volunteers -- so 100 percent of all donations go to food, not overhead.
Now that we are to the point where we may have to close our doors, we are desperate. We need food, we need money, we need help!
As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charity, all contributions, whether in cash or in-kind, are fully tax-deductible. If you anticipate any year-end charitable giving, won't you please help us now? We may not be here for Christmas.
Food may be dropped off at, and donations sent to, Milton Township Food Pantry, 1492 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. For more information, call us at (630) 668-1616. Thank you.
O. Chris Heidorn
Milton Township
Supervisor
President, Milton
Township Food Pantry Inc.