Des Plaines Community Foundation Donates $10,000 To Three Local Food Pantries
The Des Plaines Community Foundation donated $10,000 to local area food pantries. The donation was split between three food pantries.
"During these hard times all food pantries are pressed for help with so many people out of work," said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the Des Plaines Community Foundation. "People are struggling in this economy and food pantries are a very necessary and important factor to some resident's lives. The Foundation Trustees voted unanimously to donate."
The Foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.
Argus' first stop was to present the Elk Grove Township Pantry with a $2,500 donation. Sandy Nowak the pantry coordinator accepted the donation.
"I am going shopping to restock the shelves," said Nowak. "We are very low on supplies and this is very much appreciated," said Nowak. "We use our donations to buy ground beef, hot dogs or chicken nuggets or patties for residents."
So far this year the Elk Grove Township Pantry gave 268 food pantry disbursements--which fed 629 residents, including 228 with children.
Michael Sweeney, Township Supervisor, wrote a thank you letter expressing appreciation.
The second stop for Argus was the Self Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines where she presented Debbie Walusiak with a $5,000 donation.
"We usually help 800 to 1,000 residents a month," said Walusiak. "In April, we had 875 clients including about 300 with children. We are extremely grateful to be recipients of what Rosemary Argus and the Foundation does for the community. They do very generous work."
According to Walusiak, summer is the slow season for food donation and they appreciate residents keeping the Self Help Closet and in mind for donations.
Look for the Self Help Closet and Pantry in the Des Plaines July 4th parade where they will be collecting paper products and monetary donations along the parade route. The paper products they are looking for include toilet paper, paper towels and Kleenex.
In addition, Self Help Closet and Pantry volunteers served 38 families the Tuesday before Easter. Argus had thanked the volunteers for all their hard work serving the people of Des Plaines.
On May 12th Argus presented Carol Teschky, Supervisor and Carol Langan, Food Pantry Coordinator with a donation of $2500.
"The generous donation will be used to purchase much needed food for individuals and families in need," said Carol Teschky, Maine Township Supervisor.
Langan said she was headed to Aldi to purchase food to restock empty shelves.
Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee; Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee; Intergenerational Program Committee, and Seasons of Service Program Committee.
The Foundation has no paid employees and is 100-percent volunteer. Foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductable contributions as well as from other foundations.
For more information on the Des Plaines Community Foundation or to donate, call Rosemary Argus at 847-297-4932.