Buffalo Grove Rotary sponsoring mobile food pantry Saturday

The Buffalo Grove Rotary Club is sponsoring a mobile food pantry from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Mike Rylko Park, 601 Deerfield Parkway in Buffalo Grove.

The club hopes to feed up to 200 families at the event. The Northern Illinois Food Bank is providing its mobile food pantry and Rotary club volunteers will be running the contactless, drive-through distribution.

Those who would like to receive food should plan to arrive early and stay in their vehicles, as prepackaged boxes of groceries will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Individuals who pick up food are asked to wear face covers or masks, and to use the park's fitness center entrance.

"Our club was fortunate in that our fundraising this year was very supported - by our own members, as well as businesses and community members," club President Melanie Santostefano said in an announcement of the event. "This ongoing generosity has enabled us to help to address new needs in our greater community, including food insecurity, which has increased due to the after effects of the pandemic."

The event is free and open to all area residents. There are no requirements to show identification, proof of address or income.