Buffalo Grove Rotary Club Mobile Food Pantry Saturday at Mike Rylko Park
Area community members in need of food are invited to take advantage of a mobile food pantry sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club from 2-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Mike Rylko Park, 601 Deerfield Parkway in Buffalo Grove. The goal is to feed up to 200 families.
Rotary club members will be volunteering at 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.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank is providing its mobile food pantry and Rotary club volunteers will be running the distribution, wearing face covers or masks, and following social distancing recommendations. Individuals who pick up food are also asked to wear face covers or masks, and to use the fitness center entrance to Mike Rylko Park at Route 83/Old McHenry Road.
"Our club was fortunate in that our fundraising this year was very supported - by our own members, as well as businesses and community members," said Rotary Club President Melanie Santostefano. "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."
While the club serves the Buffalo Grove community through awarding yearly scholarships for college bound individuals, community grants to organizations serving Buffalo Grove, as well as distributing Thanksgiving baskets over the holiday season, the mobile food pantry is a new offering this year. It is free, and open to all area residents. There are no requirements to show identification, proof of address or income.
"We simply want those who need nutritious food to show up this coming Saturday, and for local community members to share information about the mobile food pantry so we can reach our goal to help 200 families," Santostefano said.
For additional food resources, visit SolveHungerToday.org/GetHelp.