Local Officials Collect and Deliver Food to JJC Student Pantry

ROMEOVILLE, IL — State reps. Natalie Manley and Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, and state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, are hosting an ongoing, multi-city food drive at numerous locations, according to a news release from Manley's office.

The collected items are delivered to various pantries throughout the elected officials' districts. This week, they delivered several cart-loads of items to Joliet Junior College Wolves Essentials Pantry, a news release states.

“Sadly, we are in a time when families are suffering from skyrocketing costs of food, health insurance and childcare,” Rep. Manley said. “These students at JJC work hard to build better lives for themselves, and use this pantry to feed themselves, and their families.”

Currently, JJC’s pantry sees more than 10 people per day, most of whom take enough food to feed their families of four for a week, according to a news release. Last semester, it served more than 150 individuals, nearly 540 times from August to January.

Ongoing drop-off locations include the city or village halls of Joliet, Romeoville, Crest Hill and Plainfield, as well as the public libraries of Fountaindale, Crest Hill, Plainfield, White Oak (Lockport and Crest Hill only) and Joliet (Black Road only). Items requested include food, personal hygiene products and baby supplies (such as food and diapers). Recipient pantries vary, depending on need.

“This is truly a community-wide effort with help from many people,” Rep. Manley said. “Thanks goes out to the cities, villages and libraries for providing so many convenient locations for people to contribute.”

From week to week, the inventory at JJC pantry goes up and down, according to JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo. Food items, personal hygiene products, toilet paper and clothing are all available at the Wolves Essentials Pantry, a news release states.

Because students’ needs and pantry inventory fluctuate from day to day, Dr. Namuo suggested that anyone who wishes to donate can contribute online on the “Give to JJC” web page at https://jjc.edu/giving/give-jjc, and use the drop-down menu to select the Wolves Essentials Pantry.