P.E.O. food drive benefits Schaumburg recipient

Members of a local Schaumburg charitable organization showed their Thanksgiving spirit early with a food drive. Members of the Chapter P-LK of the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood donated nonperishable groceries, stamps and greeting cards, and grocery gift cards to an individual who continues to be plagued with chronic disabling medical conditions.

The Thanksgiving drive was the third food drive for this recipient, said Ruth Jones, who has been at the helm of coordinating the events.

"(Our recipient) is a widow on disability and in poor health. She does not have reliable transportation, nor does she have family in the area. Her medical bills are staggering and continue to build," explained Jones. "We had our first food drive for her in April 2022, and we voted to donate the (upcoming) Christmas collection to her. She was also our recipient last year," she added.

Jones explained that the food drives have been an extension of one of the chapter's outreach projects, the Illinois P.E.O. Lulu Corkhill Williams Friendship Fund. The Lulu Fund offers temporary financial assistance to individuals 18 or older (male or female), facing a variety of emergencies, such as medical bills. Chapter P-LK's sponsee received a Lulu grant of $2,400 in February 2022.

The goods Jones delivered to the Lulu recipient from the recent food drive included nonperishable foods, 85 packs of stamps, assorted greeting cards, and $225 in grocery gift cards.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood brings together approximately 225,000 women in the United States and Canada, who are passionate about helping women advance through education. The organization provides a framework of support and community for all members and is open to women age 18 or older. More information on P.E.O. is available at peointernational.org.