Partnership extends WeGo Together pantry's reach

WeGo Together for Kids has announced that Neighborhood Food Pantries will officially manage the WeGo Together Food Pantry starting in September, allowing the pantry to be open weekly year round.

"Neighborhood Food Pantries has been a longtime partner in WeGo Together for Kids, and now we are excited to expand this partnership to include the management of the WeGo Together Food Pantry," said Sarah Smith, coordinator for partnerships in West Chicago Elementary District 33. "Neighborhood Food Pantries has expertise in the management of food pantries and the quality of their service is excellent."

In 2014, Northern Illinois Food Bank and WeGo Together for Kids partnered to launch a school-based food pantry serving families with children in West Chicago. With funding from Morgan Stanley, General Mills and the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation and support from Feeding America and Northern Illinois Food Bank, the pantry served families once a week while school was in session.

Beginning in September, with continued support from these partners, the food bank will be open from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays year round. The food pantry will continue to provide nutritious food to families with children from birth to 18 years old living in West Chicago.

In addition, WeGo Together for Kids partners will provide educational programming and access to community resources during pantry hours.

"We are happy to welcome the WeGo Together Food Pantry as our seventh pantry site along with the District 33 families they serve," said Tom Norton, executive director of Neighborhood Food Pantries. "Our partnership will provide increased food security for many of our neighbors in need."

Individuals and groups, including the District 33 Support Staff Association, provide food pantry volunteers each month. Any group or individual interested in volunteering may contact Sarah Smith at smithsarah@wego33.org or (630) 293-6000, ext. 229.