As expected, West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) saw an increase in neighbors visiting the pantry the first week of November. Pantry volunteers served 900 more people than in the same week last month, a 33% increase.
There was also record numbers of people the pantry was already serving, according to organizers there were 660 first time visitors since October 28th. That is more new neighbors than are typically see in a month.
In-person appointments to receive food are filling up well in advance of distribution dates. Phone calls for information and help have increased substantially as well.
How are they managing
About 25 people are dropping off food donations every day, a typical day would see 2-3 drop offs according to volunteers.
The pantry has added volunteer shifts to handle the additional demand in many areas most notably online fulfillment and distribution, lobby, and donation sorting. Volunteer orientation sessions have increased to help new volunteers.
There delivery service, On-Line Pantry and Door Dash’s Project Dash service is delivering food orders to neighbors who cannot get to the pantry. There were over 180 food deliveries via Door Dash last week. Door Dash is waiving their usual delivery fees for November.
Pantry regular food purchase has nearly doubled from the Northern Illinois Food Bank which, is not a long-term solution, according to pantry staff.
The community can help in a few ways
Monetary donations are still most helpful. While there are opportunities to secure some free food through a variety of outlets and DoorDash is waiving delivery fees for now, the pantry is still incurring additional costs. They are having to utilizing more temp staff hours, more supplies and more food.
If an organization is doing a food drive, pantry organizers are asking to try to focus on one item like canned soup, canned vegetables etc., to reduce necessary sorting and make it possible to put donations in the online inventory.
The pantry is looking for Volunteers to fill new shifts that have been added to help serve the families need. The mailing address and location accepting food donations M-F 9am -3pm is 6809 Hobson Valley Drive Suite 118, Woodridge
For online donations and additional information: wscpantry.org
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