Kane County gives to local pantries

Kane County staff and elected leaders delivered 530 bags of groceries and more than $12,500 in monetary donations to the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Dec. 18, increasing their giving to the annual holiday "Helping Hands" campaign in a time of great need throughout the community.

Kane County launched the "Helping Hands" drive last year to directly assist area residents through the Northern Illinois Food Bank. In the inaugural effort, county staff members and elected leaders contributed 480 bags of food and more than $8,300 for the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Given recent economic turmoil and increased need throughout the region, county staff increased its giving this year, collecting food to be distributed at 24 local pantries, and providing an overall gift that will result in more than 52,750 meals for individuals in Kane County.

"These are difficult times throughout the country, and Kane County is no exception," Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said. "Our team answered the call, and I think that speaks volumes about the individuals who gave, and their commitment to serving Kane County."

In a presentation with the food bank Thursday, McConnaughay thanked Auditor's Office staff for contributing the most to the campaign. The Kane County Sheriff's Office collected the most groceries, she added, and the Kane County Health Department exceeded $4,300 in monetary donations - more than any county office.

Northern Illinois Food Bank acquires donated food from retailers, manufacturers, corporations, and community resources and distributes it through its network of over 520 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other nonprofit food assistance sites to help the 275,008 people living in poverty in 13 northern Illinois counties including Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago counties.