As I am sure you all are aware, St. Nicholas maintains a food pantry. Currently, the pantry is stocked by generous donations from the congregation, Little Boots Foundation, La Preferida, the people of St. Simon’s in Arlington Heights, a vending company and a Food Depository in Romeoville.
We are seeking ideas on where we might be able to obtain food and other non perishable items for the pantry and how to get the word out about the pantry.
We are grateful for everything that we receive and are able to make available for those in need in the community. As noted in the News from Nick each week, the Pantry is open on the First, Third and Fourth Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. When guests come to the pantry, they are allowed to help themselves to the items they will use. Except for a few items (cereal, tuna, canned meats) we usually do not limit the amount of one item they may take. They are asked to be respectful of the fact there are other guests who use the pantry. We do limit them to three bags of groceries per visit. Yes, this way does cause shortages of some items, and creates an overabundance of other items. If we have an overabundance, we share with other pantries and the community.
One question we have received at times is how do we know the people who use the pantry are in need, and the answer we give is “It is between them and God.” We feel that we are filling a need for those who may be working, thus not qualify for aid elsewhere, but are having trouble making ends meet.
We are seeking ideas on where we might be able to obtain food and other non perishable items for the pantry and how to get the word out about the pantry.
However, our main goal for this, is to find out how you, the Congregation, would like to see the food pantry run. Do you have ideas on how to help out the community more than we currently do? Would you prefer to see us do things differently? If we did something differently, would you help out more? Currently there is a core of 5 volunteers who run the pantry.
Please help us help others.
Scott Cummings
Scott and Jay and the other volunteers do an amazing job.