FISH Food Pantry named Barrington CROP grand marshal
The Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk committee announces that FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville has been named grand marshal for the walk's 29th anniversary, which raises funds for people in need in our communities and around the world.
The initials of FISH mean Friend, I Shall Help. It is an organization of volunteers helping people in emergency situations.
The pantry serves everyone in need who walks through their doors. Folks who need food may come to the pantry and receive food to tide them over in the short term. Referrals are made to the appropriate government agencies to help them on a long-term basis. Last year, FISH helped over 400 families per month from the Carpentersville, East and West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow and Gilberts areas. And in these economic times, there is another upswing in individuals and families turning to the pantry for help, especially senior citizens.
The clients are primarily families or individuals who need to supplement their food supply on an emergency basis because of loss of jobs; illness; emergencies such as a house fire; lower-income citizens, such as senior citizens living on low fixed incomes; single parents who cannot work because of small children at home; and others affected by seasonal layoffs.
The FISH Food Pantry, which began in a garage with the help of 13 area churches, was licensed by the state and federal governments in 1970, and has been serving needy neighbors for 41 years now. The pantry is staffed totally by volunteers, there is no salaried help.
The pantry is in the Meadowdale Mall on Route 25 in Carpentersville in Suite 15A, and the phone number is (847) 428-4357.
Last year, 417 CROP walkers raised over $57,000 for hunger relief, of which over $14,000 stayed within the community. The committee hopes to see the number of walkers increase this year and an 11 percent increase in the amount raised — with a goal of over $60,200. Of the money raised, 25 percent stays in the Barrington area; FISH Food Pantry is one of six local programs benefiting from these funds.
The Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk is on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Walk is hosted by St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Barrington, but begins in downtown Barrington, with registration at 12:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 N. Ela Street, Barrington. For additional information contact one of the event co-chairpersons, Christine Melone or Pam Jensen, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, (847) 381-0596 or email eschoon@st-markschurch.org.