Food drive launches MLK celebration in Elgin

On Monday, Jan. 5, a citywide food drive kicked off Elgin’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with drop-offs for food at area houses of worship, schools, city buildings and fire stations.

The food drive has been a hallmark of Elgin’s MLK observance for the past 10 years. It is important today because of the uncertainty about the continuation of SNAP. Close to 20% of Elgin’s population relies upon food assistance to get the food that they need.

Donated food will be divided between Food for Greater Elgin and All People’s Interfaith Food Pantry, Centro de Informacion, Community Crisis Center, and Greater Grace Community Church. The food drive will last from now until Jan. 18.

The core of the drive will come from area schools. Local elementary schools will focus on collecting breakfast cereals and grape jelly, kid-friendly foods that are always in short supply.

Middle schools will focus on soups and canned vegetable and senior high schools will focus on paper products like toothpaste, soaps, and feminine hygiene products.

Members of the public are urged to make donations of canned or shelf stable products. Cans with pull-top lids are valuable since many people who are poor do not have can openers. Immigrant-friendly foods are especially valued.

Other programs honoring Dr. King include the awarding of nine scholarships to area students, the annual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 17; Community Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18; and a Youth Event on Monday, Jan. 19.

There will be weekly panel discussions on the impact of Dr. King as an American religious figure, civil rights, non-violence, and combating poverty co-hosted by Gail Borden Library.