Carol Stream Rotary mobilizes to feed needy residents
On Saturday October 1st, the Rotary Club of Carol Stream sponsored its 3rd annual community-wide food drive to provide food for three local charities including the Humanitarian Service Project (HSP). The donated items were collected and organized at Glenbard North High School where a number of volunteers, including members of the school's Club Interact, collected and loaded up all of the items. According to Luanne Triolo Newman, the Food Drive Chair for the Rotary, the drive was supported by over 40 neighborhood partners who spread awareness of the drive to about 4000 homes, and organized the collection of items in neighborhoods around the community. At least eight organizations participated in the drive as well, including Glenbard North High School itself which ran a peanut butter drive.
The Rotary Club of Carol Stream is devoted to helping those in need both nearby and abroad through a number of intiatives. The club meets Tuesdays at 12:15pm at the Holiday in & Suites in Carol Stream. Last year, their 2nd annual community-wide food drive, collected roughly 20,000 pounds of food for Humanitarian Service Project, Interfaith Food Pantry, and Feeding NW Dupage, and this years' food drive was successful as well. When all was said and done, Luanne Triolo Newman said “12 double cafeteria tables were filled on top and underneath” with all the food collected.
The food donated to the HSP will go to feeding the needy senior citizens in their Senior Citizen Project. The 120 impoverished seniors in HSP's Senior Citizen Project receive monthly deliveries of 90 lbs. of groceries that include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, non-perishable foods, personal care items and paper products. The seniors also receive a monthly “Secret Pal” gift and a Meal of the Month provided by HSP's volunteers.
Karole Kettering, HSP Founder and Executive Director, said of the Rotary Club of Carol Stream has been invaluable in supporting HSP's mission to help needy families and senior citizens affected by poverty. “The heartfelt work they put into service truly makes a difference,” she said.
For information about the Rotary Club of Carol Stream:
www.carolstreamrotary.com/
Contact the Humanitarian Service Project:
hsp@humanitarianservice.org.
HSP's website: www.humanitarianservice.org and the HSP's blog: humanitarianserviceproject.blogspot.com.
HSP 465 Randy Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
About The Humanitarian Service Project
HSP's mission is to alleviate the pain and suffering that poverty creates in seniors and children living in DuPage and Kane counties, Illinois. Last year during the Christmas Offering, 1,264 children received gifts and 150 impoverished families received three weeks of groceries, frozen meats, and fresh produce. With the Senior Citizen Project, HSP provides a monthly food delivery and secret pal gifts to 120 low-income seniors. The Children's Birthday Project reaches the youngest underprivileged, making birthdays and Christmas truly memorable occasions for 700 children. Feed the Kids provides low-income families with groceries and fresh produce. HSP conducts an annual school supplies drive, which sends supplies to the DuPage Back to School Fair in addition to furnishing schools and individual children with necessary supplies.