Glen Ellyn Food Pantry increases reach thanks to expansion project - Suburban Life Publications

Glen Ellyn Food Pantry increases reach thanks to expansion project - Suburban Life Publications

GLEN ELLYN – Thanks to a recent expansion project, the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry will be able to make sure more people don't go hungry.

"We are able to see more clients and distribute more food," said Susan Papierski, executive director of the pantry.

The pantry, located inside Grace Lutheran Church at 493 Forest Ave. in downtown Glen Ellyn, is an ecumenical endeavor of 15 churches that cooperate in providing food and volunteers to serve people in need who live in Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream, Lisle and Glendale Heights.

The pantry was closed from June 1 to Aug. 1 to allow for an expansion and reorganization of its space. While it was closed, the pantry operated two mobile pantries – one in June and the other in July – so clients could still access the pantry's services. They also were referred to other resources in DuPage County.

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry began in spring 1979 when the high school youth group at Grace Lutheran Church collected food for people in need. The pantry was incorporated in 1985.

"What this expansion has meant for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is that we have been able to allow our clients complete client choice, meaning that they actually shop from the shelves and put their food in the grocery carts just like you and I do at the grocery store," Papierski said. "That was the first of our objectives. The second of our objectives for the expansion project was that we would be able to do more of what we do, be able to serve the demand that's out there."

Papierski said the expansion project will allow the pantry to see more clients. The pantry currently sees more than 9,000 appointments per year.

With the expansion, she hopes the pantry can reach close to 10,000 appointments next year. Through August, the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry distributed 33,148 bags of food.

"We just want to continue to meet the demand," Papierski said.

The holidays also are a busy time for the pantry. The pantry expects to distribute more than 600 Thanksgiving boxes in November. Last year, the pantry distributed 550 Thanksgiving boxes, Papierski said.

The expansion and reorganization also has allowed the pantry to work more closely with its clients.

"One of the things that we do differently now is that we have a volunteer client assistant that's assigned to every client that comes in," pantry staff member Rich Wloszek said. "They help them through the shopping process now. It is much more dignified and respectful for the client."

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry relies heavily on its volunteers for its operations. The pantry has about 350 volunteers, but it is always in need of more volunteers as well as donations, Papierski said.

A $50 donation helps the pantry provide a 12- to 14-pound turkey and box of non-perishable food, as well as perishable food items like milk, cheese, yogurt and eggs.

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How to help

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is always in need of volunteers and donations. Some of the pantry's most needed items are peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, flour, cooking oil, dish and bar soap, diapers, baby wipes, toilet paper, liquid laundry detergent and personal hygiene products.

Cash donations also are welcome, and checks may be made payable to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

More information about the pantry and volunteer opportunities is available by calling the pantry at 630-469-8668 or visiting its website at glenellynfoodpantry.org.

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