All funding would support the Northfield Township Food Pantry’s monthly and holiday distribution programs. Each month the Pantry distributes perishable and non-perishable food items and grocery store cards to its clients. During the winter and spring holidays, clients receive additional grocery store gift cards so they are able to purchase the food items needed to prepare meals for their holiday celebrations.
The Northfield Township Food Pantry has been in existence since the 1970s. What started out as a small closet providing minimal items to a handful of residents has grown into a three-room operation serving hundreds of local families. In April of 2003 the Pantry received its 501(c)(3) status and became an affiliate agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The Pantry has won the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Pantry of the Year and Quality Performance awards and was recognized with the Best Outreach Efforts award. No tax dollars are used to purchase food items or grocery store gift cards. No tax dollars are used to supply the Pantry. We rely entirely on the support of the community to assist our neighbors in need.
In addition to the Pantry’s food distribution programs, the Pantry also coordinates special programs such as birthday bags/boxes and school supply distribution for children of the families who visit the Pantry.
The mission statement of the Northfield Township Food Pantry is simple: "Hunger is Unacceptable in our Community." The Pantry distributes grocery bags packed with nutritional, well-balanced food items to residents of Northfield Township who are experiencing financial difficulties. Pantry clients can visit the Pantry once a month to receive pershible and non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards. Clients may come back throughout the month to pick up extra produce and bakery items if they are available.
The Pantry continues to see record numbers of families seeking food assistance. This past year over 750 households were eligible to visit the Pantry. Funding will ensure that the Pantry is able to maintain current service levels in order to assist clients now and in the future.
Name of Organization:Northfield Township Food Pantry
Number of Paid Staff:0 Full-time, 2 Part-time
Number of Volunteers:100 regular + groups
Total Organizational Expenses:$444,485
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:21%
The Northfield Township Food Pantry serves Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield, IL, areas known for being affluent, well-off communities. Many people don’t know and are shocked to hear that there is a food pantry serving these communities and even more surprised to hear the number of families needing assistance. Township staff work hard to educate the community that there is not typical pantry client, that preconceived ideas or images of pantry clients may not be accurate.
In the coming year, the Pantry will be relocating and changing the way it distributes food. With the move the Pantry will be converting to a full client choice distribution program. This method will provide clients with the ability to choose the food items they receive from the Pantry and take the items that will be best for their families.
There are many ways to help the Northfield Township Food Pantry. Some opportunities available for youth include coordinating a food drive, assembling birthday bags and volunteering at the Pantry sorting food, stocking shelves and packing grocery bags. Young people often choose projects such as food drives to help the Pantry for their Bar/Bat mitzvahs.
The Northfield Township Food Pantry is open Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and Thursdays 8:30 am – 7:00 pm. Volunteer opportunities are scheduled by calling 847-724-8300.
Name:Mary Lou Kratochwill
Title:Pantry Coordinator
Address:2550 Waukegan Road Suite 100 / Glenview, IL 60025
Telephone:
Email:
Website:www.twp.northfield.il.us/pantry.html