Residents Can Donate Food, Blood At Upcoming Glen Ellyn Drives

GLEN ELLYN, IL — As the coronavirus has increased the urgent need for food and blood donations throughout the country, Glen Ellyn will offer two opportunities for residents to donate food or blood in March.

The Glen Ellyn Police Department will host a Drop and Go food drive on March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the police station, 65 S. Park Blvd. Donations will benefit the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Click the link to see which food and toiletry items are urgently needed by the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

Glen Ellyn Police Department Deputy Chief Kurt Vavra told Patch the donation process at the upcoming event will be quick and easy. Donors just need to pull into the police station via the south driveway, follow the cones to drop off their donations and exit.

Glen Ellyn Police Chief Philip Norton said, "The Glen Ellyn Police Department is always looking for opportunities to positively interact with the community. During these times, we are grateful to assist in any way we can to help our neighbors, particularly those most in need. We truly enjoy working with the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry and all of their benefactors to help wherever we can.”

Residents can donate blood and drop off food donations at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Rd. on March 30 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The SARS CoV-2 antibody test will be performed on all blood donations at the event, which will require appointments in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Click the link to register for a blood donation appointment.

The following items are needed to benefit Glen Ellyn Food Pantry:

• Peanut butter and jelly
• White or brown rice
• Pasta
• Canned tuna
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Applesauce
• Granola bars
• Cookies
• Flour
• Cooking oil
• Sugar
• Dried beans
• Canned beans
• Canned ravioli
• Spaghetti-Os
• Canned soup
• Coffee (1 lb. cans and instant)
• Black tea
• Green tea
• Cold cereal
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Relish
• Mayonnaise
• Macaroni and cheese
• Dish soap
• Bar soap
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Toilet paper
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Deodorant

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.