Libertyville Twp. food pantry to expand

Year after year, the number of people served by the Libertyville Township food pantry has grown.

While the volume hasn't become unmanageable, the facilities used in the operation of the once-a-week pantry left something to be desired.

Food has been stored in an old garage set apart from the main township building at 359 Merrill Court in Libertyville.

That meant carting supplies to the main building to be packaged and distributed.

"It's not a very efficient environment," Township Supervisor Kathleen O'Connor said.

But in about a week, the old system will be on the way out as work begins on an attached addition that will double the size of the existing garage.

"It will allow us to store, sort and package food in one location and have it attached to our building," O'Connor said. It also will provide enough space to allow for more volunteer help.

"In the new arrangements, we'll have pallet storage. We'll have all the bags packaged by Monday before food pantry day," she added

The township for a few years has been setting aside money for the 1,400-square foot addition. The $475,000 budget includes funding for construction and all fees, such as engineering.

Starting Monday, food stored in the garage will be moved to the meeting room in the main building. The power will be cut June 10, and the garage demolished June 14. Regular pantry operations shouldn't be much affected, officials said.

"We'll continue the operation and be able to hand out food, we'll just have to adjust," said Linda Blatnik, a township social worker and pantry coordinator.

Construction is expected to take eight to 10 weeks.

The main difference during the project will be a less storage space and slightly fewer food selections.

The township stores food and staffs the pantry, but does not use tax funds to buy food. Supplies are donated or bought with monetary donations at reduced prices from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The pantry is seeing as many as 20 new families each month, which is partially a sign of the economy.

"Last year was a big increase and it continues to be that way," Blatnik said. "We see more people coming who are out of work."

The number of seniors also has increased, she added.

In 2009, 453 households were registered to use the food pantry, compared with 314 in 2006, an increase of more than 30 percent.

"We were concerned if we waited until the building was literally falling apart, we wouldn't have as many options," O'Connor said.