People's Resource Center By The Numbers

As our fiscal year ended in June, (PRC) took stock of the services it provided in FY ’11. To no one’s surprise, there was an increase in the number of families we assisted, as the future of the economy remained uncertain and the number of jobless continued to rise. Still, with the community’s help, PRC has been able to serve all the struggling families who came through our doors.

Between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, 9,291 low-income families came to PRC for help. 3,000 households used the food pantry each month, which meant that we distributed 35,517 grocery carts full of a week’s worth of fresh produce, frozen meat, bakery items and non-perishable food. To break it down even further, PRC gave out 2.3 million pounds of food to hungry families.

DuPage County families in need also continued to visit our Clothes Closet - for gently-used seasonal clothing - and Homeless Prevention Services in record numbers.

Even though over half of our families have at least one member who works, many still took advantage of PRC’s free empowerment services to break the cycle of poverty in their lives:

• 623 adults advanced their skills by taking adult education classes,
• 1,204 adults registered for computer training,
• 134 people found jobs, thanks to our job assistance mentors,
• 212 adults and 596 children showed off their creativity in an art class.

But fact and figures don’t tell the whole story.  It’s the difference PRC makes in the lives of individuals that is the reason we’re here. 

According to Melissa Travis, PRC’s Senior Director of Programs, PRC is assisting more and more families who never thought they’d be using its services. “When people lose their jobs, or their unemployment runs out, they turn to us to make ends meet,” she explained. “By using our food pantry they don’t have to choose between buying food or paying utility bills or purchasing prescriptions.

“Families often tell me that they don’t know what they would do without People’s Resource Center.”

Since 1975, People’s Resource Center has been committed to meeting the community’s needs neighbor to neighbor. We thank all of you who donated time, money or in-kind items to help your neighbors in need, and encourage you to visit either of our locations in Wheaton at 201 S. Naperville Road, or Westmont, at 649 Blackhawk Drive.