Huntley pantry marks one year of serving needy

Every Wednesday, families in McHenry County head to the Faith Community Church Food Pantry in Huntley to pick up their groceries for the week.

In two neatly arranged aisles, they can find cans of green beans, tuna and chili; boxes of instant potatoes and toasted oats; cartons of eggs, bags of bananas and loaves of bread - all the goods needed to keep the refrigerator and cabinets stocked until the next trip.

"It's just like shopping, except you don't have to pay," said pantry coordinator Maureen Wilson.

On Wednesday, there was dessert, too - a frosted white cake, with tea and coffee on the side. This week, the small food pantry that operates out of a few rooms in a church marked its anniversary.

In the past year, the pantry has gone from serving zero customers on its first day to feeding about 30 people each week and going through more than 1,300 pounds of food every two weeks.

"It's pretty rewarding to know you're helping other people," pantry Director Debby Fox said this week.

The food pantry has thrived thanks to the generosity of the Faith Community congregation - which has chipped in money for food, shelving and a walk-in freezer - as well as local businesses such as Panera Bread in Elgin, which supplies the bread each week.

The nonprofit organization is also able to get most of its food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank at 19 cents a pound.

Clients say the food pantry is sorely needed.

"The economy is so bad, with food prices going up and a lot of people out of work, it's good that they have this," said Tamica Quinones of Huntley.

Added Maureen Abrasevic of Lake in Hills, a mother of two school-age children: "It helps you get by. I don't know what I'd do without them."

Fox said she has plenty of hands but could use more supplies - especially as donations slow in the summer.

The food pantry is at 10547 Faiths Way, Huntley. It is open to families in need from 4 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (224) 569-6501 for details.