Schaumburg food pantry gives gift of Thanksgiving dinner

Local volunteers distributed Thanksgiving turkeys and side dishes Tuesday at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, which since 2004 has hosted a food pantry for people in need.

They were joined by congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, who helped pass out vouchers for the meals. In September, Holy Spirit Food Pantry Manager LaVerne Horgan was Duckworth's guest at Pope Francis' address to Congress.

Horgan has volunteered at the Holy Spirit pantry since the beginning.

"I am grateful for the selfless work of those who volunteer their time on the front lines in this fight at food pantries and soup kitchens," Duckworth said in a release.

With statistics that show 1 in 7 Illinoisans doesn't have a reliable source of food, the Holy Spirit Food Pantry, in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, has helped more than 2,900 families in the suburbs put food on the table, according to Duckworth's staff.

Volunteers at Holy Spirit stock shelves, greet families and take donations, including those from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and local grocery stores.