Big help for PADS, food pantry

Our sincerest thanks go to Naperville Mayor George Pradel and Assistant Fire Chief Richard Mikel who went on a two-and-a-half-minute shopping spree in the frozen food section of Jewel-Osco at 127 E. Ogden Avenue in Naperville to benefit Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry and DuPage PADS. The event was the kick-off of National Frozen Food Month in March.

Mikel collected $945.91 worth of food for DuPage PADS, beating Pradel's $604.17 for Loaves and Fishes. Since both competitors broke the $500 goal, each charity was given a $265 cash bonus.

DuPage PADS has experienced a 34 percent increase in the number of participants compared to 2007. This food will help to support those living on little or no income. Our guests are faced with insufficient income and don't have a support system such as family and community support, a church group, or savings to sustain them through these difficult times.

Thanks to the generosity of Jewel-Osco and the Midwest Frozen and Refrigerated Food Association, the tenants in our supportive housing program have freezers filled with abundance.

Carol Simler

Executive director, DuPage PADS