Vernon Twp. Food Pantry offers drive-up service, select delivery

Vernon Township announced that the Vernon Township Food Pantry will stay open during the pandemic and offer drive up pickup service and select delivery to the elderly.

"Our food pantry will remain open during this crisis," said Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg.

"For the safety of our food pantry families and our staff, we will be transitioning the food pantry into a drive-through service where residents can pull up and have two prepackaged bags of food placed in their vehicle without having to get out of their car or interacting with others.

"Should a food pantry resident be experiencing symptoms, find their normal transportation options unavailable or are elderly, the township will work to deliver food to residents on a limited, as needed basis," Altenberg said.

In the last 10 years, the Vernon Township Food Pantry has provided less fortunate individuals with an estimated quarter ton of food, worth nearly $500,000.

Additionally, the Vernon Township Community Garden provided 189 pounds of fresh produce to needy residents this past year, with that figure expected to double with the size of the garden doubling this summer.

The Vernon Township Food Pantry, which started more than 25 years ago, is open the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9 a.m. to noon (families at 8 a.m.), and the first and third Thursday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m.

The pantry is still accepting food donations. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart outside the entrance to 3050 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove, during business hours.

The following items are especially needed: tuna fish, rice, canned chicken, beans, fresh and boxed potatoes, cleaning supplies.

For more information, visit www.vernontownship.com or call (847) 634-4600 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.