DuPage nonprofit leader organizing food drive for victims of South suburban tornadoes

When tornadoes hit the South suburbs in late July, Regina Brent was especially worried that many people — already experiencing economic difficulty — would go hungry.

“I cannot express to you how deeply concerned I am that we act with a sense of urgency, that we act now to get some help to those victims,” said Brent. She recalled being poor herself decades ago, when she was a teenage mother who experienced eviction and homelessness.

Brent, who is the founder and president of the nonprofit Unity Partnership in Naperville, reached out to her contacts to organize a food drive.

They plan to deliver at least 50,000 pounds of canned goods to be distributed to help residents of Harvey, Homewood, Hazel Crest and Markham Aug. 13-15.

Much of it will come from the national headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Brent has worked with representatives of the LDS’ Naperville congregation to obtain the donation.

Other donors include the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Project, DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle, the Science of Spirituality Center in Naperville and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

The National Weather Service reported the July 27 storms spawned seven tornadoes in the Chicago area. The South suburbs were hit by EF-1s, with wind speeds of 80 to 105 mph.

Hazel Crest, Harvey and Markham already had economic difficulties, with 18 to 24% of their residents living in poverty, according to the U.S. Census.

“Those are some of the most underserved areas” in the Chicago region, Brent said. “Harvey does not even have a grocery store.”

“It’s all by the grace of God and it’s all about (the far Western suburbs) giving back to those suburban areas,” Brent said of the drive.

People and companies are urged to donate goods and services to the effort. Brent asks they contact her at (312) 560-3843, or regina.brent@unitypartnership.org, to make arrangements.