Wheeling Township needs help to spread Thanksgiving cheer

The downturn in the economy has Wheeling Township officials appealing for help in keeping up with their holiday tradition: preparing Thanksgiving baskets for the township's neediest families.

Their plea comes at a time when they are seeing a dramatic rise in the numbers of people visiting their food pantry and asking for general assistance, and yet donations overall are down.

Last year, their Thanksgiving basket program drew so much support, they were able to distribute a turkey dinner and trimmings to 250 families, driven by donations from businesses, church groups, clubs, school and individuals.

They describe it as a true example of neighbors helping neighbors. However, so far this year, they have enough donations to distribute only 127 Thanksgiving dinners, says Thelma Talamantes, general assistance director.

"We're appealing to the community for help," she says. "We're facing a deficit in donors, and we know the economy has a lot to do with it."

Contributors so far include the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Club, Remax and Prudential realty offices, and Meadows Credit Union, all in Arlington Heights; Sonshine School in Rolling Meadows; Grace Presbyterian Church and the Westin Hotel, both in Wheeling, as well as individuals.

Officials with the village of Arlington Heights' human services department are coordinating a similar Thanksgiving program. Thanks to donations from the Noon Rotary Club, and Arlington Park, as well as one anonymous donor who is contributing 50 turkeys and bags of food, the village will present dinners to 75 families.

Holding food drives for the Wheeling Township food pantry is another way to help, Talamantes says.

"Normally, by this time of year, food drives at local schools, churches and organizations are providing large quantities of food," she says.

In past, an average of 200 families a month have visited the Wheeling Township food pantry, but already Talamantes reports an average of 323 visitors per month.

Wheeling Township officials also seek more help in supporting their "Adopt a Family" program for the holidays. Last year, enough donors stepped forward to purchase gifts for 1,100 children and their families.

For more information, contact the General Assistance Office at (847) 259-7730 or ttalamantes@wheelingtownship.com.