Demand for Maine Township Food Pantry Supplies at Historic Levels

Maine Township announces a call to action for all residents and businesses in the area regarding supplies at the Emergency Food Pantry. Demand has been exceptionally high over the past few weeks so staff at Town Hall are asking residents to contribute any way they can. Food can be donated by individuals, businesses and local organizations such as churches, schools and Scout programs who may hold food drives.

“There are many ways to get involved with this special call to action,” Food Pantry Director Carol Langan said. “You can bring food or monetary donations to Town Hall as well as contribute through many different outlets located within the township including the Jewel-Osco in Park Ridge.”

In fact, the Jewel-Osco has been working hard to make sure customers know about a special donation option at checkout giving each customer the option of purchasing a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of six people. The $50 donation can be added to the final bill and in the spirit of the holiday, the customer gets to hear a “Gobble-Gobble” announcement over the store intercom. In 2017, the Park Ridge Jewel-Osco was the #1 fundraising location in the entire company of 2,300 stores by collecting $67,727 in donations.

The following wish list of items is being requested: macaroni and cheese, cereal, juice, canned tuna, plain rice, crackers, peanut butter, pancake mix, canned pasta, condiments (ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/pickles), cooking supplies (flour/sugar/oil/salt/pepper), cleaning supplies (laundry soap/dish soap), paper products (toilet paper/paper towels/facial tissue), storage products (tin foil/plastic wrap) and personal hygiene product (shampoo/toothpaste/bath soap).

Currently, the Food Pantry has been supplying an average of 150 food boxes per month which goes towards feeding over 300 residents per month within Maine Township. Each box is hand-picked by township staff with dozens of nonperishable food items to help supplement the needs of residents in distress. When the emergency food program first started back in 1981 there were only 15 food boxes provided per month.

“Having enough emergency supplies for the Food Pantry is especially important this time of year,” Supervisor Laura J. Morask said. “No family should ever have to go hungry over Thanksgiving which celebrates community and cooperation in America.”

Visit Town Hall at 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, or the website at www.mainetown.com to explore all the resources and services available to residents.

Caption #1 & #2

Special signage is on display at the Jewel-Osco in Park Ridge to inform customers about ways they can help residents in Maine Township who need emergency food assistance this Thanksgiving.