Illinois 11th District Congressman Bill Foster visited with the team and volunteers at West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) located in Woodridge. The Pantry, which serves DuPage and Will counties, has seen a 75% increase in the need for food and support services, serving over 110,000 individuals over the course of the past fiscal year.
Standing with Foster in the Pantry lobby crowded with customers waiting to be served, CEO Suzanne Armato explained “Our facility was designed with a smaller population in mind – we know more space would make this a more dignified experience.” The increase in pantry visitors has also impacted WSCP’s ability to manage its warehouse and food storage while seeking to expand culturally preferred food options to be inclusive of all pantry customers, many of whom are newly immigrated to the area. “This past year, we served an incredibly diverse community. Our guests speak over 17 different languages,” said Armato. The Pantry currently offers shelf signage in English, Spanish and Arabic.
During his visit, Congressman Foster shadowed WSCP volunteer Annie Matt, helping to pack a custom grocery order placed through WSCP’s Virtual Food Pantry. The virtual ordering system allows community members to place grocery orders on-line for easy pick-up at the Woodridge Pantry or an additional 6 satellite locations. Foster also met with volunteer Nancy Chapdelaine who helps manage the pantry’s family birthday gift program. Pantry customers with an upcoming birthday for a young child may choose from an age-appropriate birthday bag kit which include a small gift, ingredients to make a birthday cake, and supplies to host a party with candles, party plates and napkins.
Throughout the visit, staff from WSCP introduced Foster to the innovative ways the pantry is increasing access to nutritious foods and resources to help families in DuPage and Will County thrive, including the virtual food pantry and the increasing community access points, as well as the in-person Pantry Store with a wide range of produce choices, counseling services focused on crisis stabilization, and wellness education programming.
The West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) provides hope for tomorrow by increasing access to nutritious foods through their in-person food pantry, virtual food pantry, senior home delivery, and child nutrition programs in local school districts. They support families to reach a higher quality of life by providing financial assistance, wellness workshops, and counseling with a focus on crisis stabilization. The pantry is moving closer to a vision of a community without hunger with the support of the community and dedicated volunteers. They are working toward building a community without hunger. Visit www.wscpantry.org and on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.
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