YMCAs want your nutritious donations

Officials are hoping a few more caring people will drop off nonperishable food items at one of a handful of YMCAs in Lake County to help feed the needy during the holiday season.

YMCAs throughout Lake County are partnering with local community food banks to fight hunger. Dave Hayward, the President and CEO of Lake County Family YMCA in Waukegan, said the idea is part of the Healthy Lake County initiative, which strives to ensure people work harder to eat healthier.

"In the Healthy Lake County initiative, YMCAs in Lake County have come together with other county and state entities to address the issue of diabetes and obesity in families in Lake County," Hayward said. "We are looking at ways of changing eating behaviors of the area families by adding more initiatives to be physically active and to eat more nutritional meals."

He said the food drive will run through Dec. 15. Nonperishable goods may be dropped off at local YMCAs in Lake County to support local food banks.

He said people who wish to donate can take the nonperishable food items to YMCAs in Ingleside, Vernon Hills, Grayslake, Lake Zurich and Waukegan.

Those YMCAs will bring the food items to the local food bank they have paired up with, he said.

"At this time of year, the demand for food at the local food banks is astronomical, and with the economy, the food banks are struggling and sometimes running out of food," he said. "We have seen a good response so far. We know the economy is affecting all families in Lake County, but our residents know the demand at the food bank is more than ever before, and we have really seen the spirit of giving from our residents and the community."

He is urging anyone who wishes to donate to contact their local YMCA, or for a full listing of YMCAs, food banks supported or a list of needed items, people are urged to call (847) 367-6797.