Grafton Twp. Food Pantry running out of food

The Christmas season may have come and gone, but it has left the Grafton Township Food Pantry hurting for foodstuffs. “The shelves still have a little bit left on them, but if we get a busy day, we'd probably be out within a day or two,” said Township Supervisor Linda Moore, who runs the food pantry.

Moore said Wednesday a second space the pantry uses for overflow is now empty. “Right now, it's getting a little worrisome.”

The pantry was fully stocked the rest of the year, but its supplies are traditionally low this time of year.

That's because many people spent their money on Christmas gifts and not on food, Moore said.

“They're a little more cautious with their money because they know they have a big credit card bill coming,” Moore said.

The word has gotten out about the pantry's dearth of food, so a mother-daughter team took up a collection among their Huntley neighbors and used the money to help fill the pantry with food. They had visited the pantry recently and were shocked at how bare it was, Moore said, declining to name the women.

Even with the donation, the pantry still needs more food.

The food pantry has been open since 1989 and is within the Grafton Township Office at 10109 Vine St. in Huntley.

You can also drop food off at JDM Auto, 10201 Vine St., next door to the pantry.

The following foods are accepted:

Ÿ Frozen foods.

Ÿ Nonperishable, canned items.

Ÿ Paper towels, toilet paper and diapers.

Ÿ New and gently used coats.

Ÿ Rice and noodles.

“We like to get the basic food items because they're less expensive and people can use those to make healthy meals,” Moore said.

If you'd like to make a donation, be sure to ask for a receipt for tax purposes. For more information, call the food pantry at (847) 669-3328.