From the People's Resource Center: "Keep the Shelves Full"

People’s Resource Center food pantries need your help. The following letter from Executive Director Kim Perez explains why:

A couple of weeks ago, we faced a pretty tough day for our food pantries.  Our shipment of government food commodities arrived, and we were shocked to see that it contained significantly less food than what we were counting on.  We had to scramble and place an additional order to purchase more food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank so that we could continue to provide adequate food to families visiting our pantries.

It is thanks to the strong support we receive from the community—from people like you—that we were able to act quickly to fill up our shelves.

Unfortunately, it looks like these significant cutbacks in government food commodities are here to stay.  Global food prices have been on the rise again, and the funding allocated for the commodities program simply can’t purchase as much food as it used to.  And we’re seeing the impact here on our food pantry shelves.

At the same time, many of the families who turn to People’s Resource Center for help are now facing even tougher financial hardships due to cuts to human services programs. These cuts are only worsening the “summer food gap” that many families struggle with when school breakfasts and lunches are unavailable during the summer break.

We need your continued help to keep our food pantry shelves full despite the challenges of rising food prices and funding cuts to human services.  We depend on the local community for over 60% of our funding.  Thank you for your continued support for DuPage families in need—it makes such a difference.

Here’s how to help:

Donate to People’s Resource Center. 

Since 1975, People’s Resource Center has been bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County.  With a team of over 1,000 volunteers, we offer nutritious food and other basic necessities like clothes and rent assistance for people facing tough times.  And we connect people with resources—education and tutoring, jobs, technology, art, a caring community—to create a future of hope and opportunity for all.

Your generous gifts make it possible.  Please mail checks to 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL  60187 or give online at www.peoplesrc.org .  It’s speedy, simple and secure.

Collect food items and other basic necessities for our pantries.  Items most needed include fresh produce, canned fruit, rice, pasta, breakfast cereal, and personal hygiene items.  Please drop off donations at one of our food pantries:

201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton

Mon-Fri, 8 AM—4 PM and Sat 8 AM—noon

649 Blackhawk, Westmont

Wed and Sat  8:30 AM—11:15 AM and Thur 5:30 PM—7:30 PM

Advocate for programs that matter to DuPage families.  Food commodities and WIC (assistance to low-income women, infants and children) are threatened by funding cuts.  Get involved in advocacy efforts at www.hungeractioncenter.org.