Holiday Guide: 'Tis the Season to Give

Thanks to several local food pantries hundreds of less fortunate families will receive the help they need this holiday season. 

The Libertyville Township Food Pantry, the pantry at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Mobile Food Pantry of First Presbyterian Church are working for the good of the community.

Now, as the weather changes and the fresh produce runs low, pantries are in need of help, by food and monetary donations and by volunteers to help distribute food.

The Libertyville Township Food Pantry has served more than 380 families this year. Linda Blatnik, the Township's social worker said they will take any types of donations, and that the pantry is currently running low on canned vegetables.

Blatnik said volunteers are also needed for when the pantry is open, which is every Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. To help volunteer call 847-816-5989.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 121 E. Maple Ave. has a food pantry that is open every Monday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. a breakfast, lunch and dinner bag is assembled by volunteers and distributed to the families at the pantry.

The Knights of Columbus provide fresh turkey and ham dinners for the pantry on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The pantry also collects information for children and families in need of Christmas gifts, coats and toys. The church then fills those needs through the Christmas Giving Tree Program.

First Presbyterian Church at 219 W. Maple Ave. hands out more than 10,000 lbs. of food every month.

While the pantry has been up and running for ten years, the church does not have storage space to take donations, said coordinator Jim King.

Instead, with monetary donations and offerings, the pantry purchases food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank every third Saturday of the month, and distributes it directly off the truck to about 220 local families.

"We need more than 100 volunteers for each distribution day," King said. "It's a lot of work, but it's well worth it. We can always use an extra hand, or hands."

King said the church partners with the United Methodist Church to help get volunteers, and other organizations or companies also participate. If you would like to donate time to the Mobile Food Bank contact King at 847-744-0066.