Holiday Guide: Food Pantries Feed the Needy

Area food pantries need volunteers who can donate time as well as money.

Overall, township food pantries have experienced a big increase in users, but thanks to donations, needy families won’t go hungry this holiday season. In Shields Township, which covers Lake Bluff, most of Lake Forest, and part of North Chicago, the food pantry has seen a 51 percent increase in use since last year, said Supervisor Gale Strenger Wayne. One of the best ways for individuals and community organizations to help stock food is by donating cash to the food pantry. “The food pantry is a member of the Northern Illinois Food Bank and it is always so wonderful when we get cash donations because of the leverage; $1 cash buys 9 pounds of food. That’s huge,” Wayne said. The Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) acquires, handles, and …

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On the Home Front

Local Organizations Accept Donations

Recycle unused items for a good cause by donating to local organizations.

There's no better time than the holidays to clear through unneeded items around the home to make way for soon-to-be-arriving gifts.  In addition, it's a great time to help the less fortunate and involve the kids in a project to benefit others. Kids can assist in selecting toys that are no longer favorites, clothing that's not worn and books that could become another child's bedtime story.  Don't forget to sort through the linen closet and kitchen pantry, too.  Many charitable organizations are in need of gently used linens; and area food pantries are especially in need of non-perishable food items during the cold weather months. Following is a list of local non-profit and charitable organizations that accept donations of a variety of items…

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Student Council Continues Food Drive Tradition

Libertyville High School gets the community involved in helping the needy.

Libertyville High School Student Council members gathered together for a meeting on Nov. 3, just as they do every week.  But unlike their other weekly meetings, each of the five members was given 30 brown paper grocery bags. The students then distributed the bags throughout their neighborhoods to collect donated items for their annual food drive. "It's really fulfilling," said Nikki Indart, a student council member. "The entire community is working together for the same reason." Kaitlin Woodyard, president of the student council, agreed. "It's the main service project of the year," Woodyard said. "People are really involved." The Libertyville Township Food Pantry, one of the food drive's recipeints, said the pantry has needed more food …

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