Cook Memorial Public Library District Hosting Annual Food Drive

The Cook Memorial Public Library District is collecting food and books for distribution to those in need this holiday season.

Donated items will be collected by the Libertyville Township and Vernon Township Food Pantries, which will make them available to qualifying residents. Nonperishable food items and new and like-new books are being collected now through Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville and Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills.

Needed food items include canned goods like tuna, chicken, vegetables, fruits and soups; peanut butter and jelly; pasta, rice and Ramen noodles; spaghetti sauce and gravies; flour, sugar and baking mixes; cereals and oatmeal; and condiments. Paper goods, including toilet paper, tissues and diapers, as well as personal items including bar soap, shampoos, deodorant and toothpaste, are also needed. Books for children, young adults and adults are also being collected at this time since they make good gifts for all ages.

Depost bins are positioned inside the main entries at both libraries. Donations will be collected and distributed by volunteers, helping make the holidays bright for everyone in the area. For more information on the food pantries, please call Libertyville Township at 847-816-5989 and Vernon Township at 847-634-4600.

Cook Memorial Public Library District has conducted the “Food for Your Mind/Books for Your Soul” Drive during December for more than ten years. When both library locations were under construction in 2009, items were collected in the confines of the Temporary Learning Center at 114 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, and the Evergreen Interim Library, housed in the basement of the Village Hall at 290 Evergreen Dr., Vernon Hills. Petranek’s Pharmacy in Libertyville also generously served as a collection point.