Restaurant teams with food pantry to stock shelves

Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria and Pub, 75 E. Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake, will host a fundraiser in conjunction with the Crystal Lake Food Pantry from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 19.

The event will directly benefit the residents of Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake Food Pantry provides food to hungry families in the community.

The fundraiser offers a unique way in which area residents can help. Individuals wanting to participate are asked to bring a minimum of 10 canned items to Georgio's.

For their donation, Georgio's will give customers a $10 gift card per table when they purchase a large pizza, which is good on their next visit.

"I am extremely proud to partner with the Crystal Lake Food Pantry for this wonderful fundraiser," said restaurant owner Brian Coli.

"With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, I wanted to be able to contribute to those in need. The way we've structured the event, we're hoping the food pantry will collect enough food to keep their shelves full for a very long time. It's a win-win for everyone."

"We rely solely on donations, monetary as well as food products, to provide for the hungry in the area," said Marilyn Georgy, president of the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

"The way Georgio's has stepped up and volunteered to organize this event for us is truly remarkable."

While the pantry can use almost any type of food item, they have assembled a list of the top 20 items they need the most.

These items include coffee (reg./decaf); evaporated milk; juice; spaghetti sauce; canned fruit such as peaches, pears, fruit cocktail; dry pasta such as spaghetti, elbow, egg noodles; canned pasta such as ravioli, Spaghettio's, etc.; pancake mix/syrup; canned meat/meal, including chili, stew, ham, hash, etc.; sugar (4-5 lbs.); oil, any kind; flour; shampoo; dish soap; laundry detergent; toothpaste; toilet paper (4/pack or single); Kleenex tissue; diapers (any size); and feminine products/napkins

For details, on Georgio's, call (815) 459-8888 or visit www.georgiospizza.com. For more information on the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, call (815) 455-0961 or visit www.clpantry.org.