Food bank opening new Lake Co. facility

Northern Illinois Food Bank is ready to debut a facility in Lake County that'll give it more cooler and freezer space.

Food bank spokeswoman Sarah Slavenas said volunteers are expected to begin working Monday at the larger building at 440 Keller Drive in Park City. She said the food bank has been operating at another facility in Park City.

To celebrate the move, the Northern Illinois Food Bank will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Former Bears wide receiver Glen Kozlowski is among the food bank supporters scheduled to give brief presentations.

Slavenas said the Park City branch has been a major point for collection, inspection and repackaging of meat for distribution.

Slavenas said the operation has increased its ability to acquire frozen and refrigerated food. She said that's why it's important to have the new building with more cooler and freezer space.

The agency is responsible for procuring and distributing about 3 million pounds of donated, government and purchased food monthly. It uses local pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth activity centers and other sites in 13 counties.