How Willow Creek's mobile food pantry serves suburban families in need

It has been five years since Willow Creek Community Church opened its Care Center on its South Barrington campus, and the expansive facility bears out the adage, "If you build it, they will come."

Officials now say the center serves more than 1,000 households every month, or more than 15,000 families per year. They come from surrounding communities such as Carpentersville, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Streamwood.

Most families come to visit the food pantry, says Nicole Burt, director of Care Center Services, which is why they debuted a new service this year - a mobile food pantry. Since starting the service in April, it has drawn more than 1,000 visits.

Currently, the truck visits four schools each month: Sunny Hill School in Carpentersville, Jane Addams School in Palatine, and Lakeview School and the John Muir Literacy Academy in Hoffman Estates.

"We're moving beyond the walls of the Care Center and taking our services out into the community," Burt says, "so that we can reach the highest pocket of need."

Offerings in the mobile food pantry mirror the main facility, giving families a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to canned or boxed food, as well as toiletries and even laundry detergent.

"We are committed to distributing healthy and nutritious food, across the board," says Josie Michalak, director of local compassion and justice for the church.

Beth Erbach, principal of Lakeview School, says the volunteers from Willow Creek are making an impact on her school community.

"They not only provide food and toiletries for more than 60 Lakeview families, but they also have individuals who mentor our students during the school day," Erbach says. "Before we can expect our students to do well at school, their basic needs must be met. That's why it's a perfect partnership."

Willow Creek officials say they modeled their mobile food pantry service after successful ones at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva.

"Our goal is to not only help families in need, but get them to come to the Care Center," Michalak adds, "where they'll find all the other services we have, from a children's clothing store to employment, legal and dental services."

Both women say Willow Creek's employment services program is particularly impressive, with its counseling and innovative services. Their next job fair will be from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 11 in the main lobby of the church and will feature more than 100 employers.

While the mobile food pantry started making its rounds late last spring, Willow Creek officials ramped up the program this month by offering free haircuts and backpacks to students returning to school.

As you can imagine, Burt says, both were a big hit. Ultimately, she adds, they hope to expand the program, both in drawing business partners and more volunteers.

"We're here to help people," Burt says. "You don't need to be a member of the church to receive services. There is no requirement other than to walk in the door and say you need help."