Wheaton food pantry running low on supplies

The People's Resource Center in Wheaton is facing a winter drought.

The nonprofit organization, which feeds close to 2,000 families a month, desperately needs food donations.

"Our shelves are very bare," said Karen Hill, development director at the center. "We've seen a huge increase in the number of clients. At the same time, we've seen a great decrease in food."

Food pantries often experience a drought in terms of donations, but they usually occur in the summer, Executive Director Mary Ellen Durbin said.

This year, though, the hard times have come early "and this place is empty," she said.

The center has seen an increase in its clientele this year but a decrease in funding and donations. Durbin and Hill said they believe much of that is the result of an economy that appears to be heading into a recession.

The center has seen a 40 percent drop in the commodities it receives from the federal government.

In addition, prices at the Northern Illinois Food Bank -- where the center buys a large chunk of its food -- have significantly increased.

"I think the economy is worrisome right now," Durbin said. "I think it's pushing more people toward having to rely on food pantries. At the same time, the transportation costs are driving up food costs."

The center generally orders food on Wednesdays. But recently it's begun to run out of food on Mondays, or two days ahead of schedule.

The pantry needs a variety of donations such as canned fruits and vegetables, soup, cereal, peanut butter and canned pastas. Donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the center, 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton.

In addition to food, the center provides clothing, rent assistance, literacy education, training, access to technology and art enrichment to its patrons. For details, call (630) 682-5402.