Illinois Tornado Recovery: Info On Food, Shelter, Other Resources

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — After a powerful tornado damaged hundreds of homes and hospitalized nearly a dozen people in and around Woodridge and Naperville Sunday, residents, food pantries and community organizations have been eager to offer support and resources.

“The people in this community came together for each other," Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said in a press conference Monday afternoon.

Here's a roundup of resources available to residents who have been impacted by Sunday's storms. This article also includes information about how to help those in need.

How to Get Tornado/Storm Assistance

Food, Shelter, Support

The American Red Cross has established two shelters in Naperville and Woodridge to provide residents in need with food, water, shelter and other services. Representatives arrived early Sunday to help, Brian McDaniel, executive director of the American Red Cross for the Illinois River Valley area, said at a press conference in Woodridge Monday morning.

Temporary resource centers have been set up at:

• Ranch View Elementary School, 1651 Ranchview Dr., Naperville
• Thomas Jefferson Junior High School, 7200 Janes Ave., Woodridge

In addition to shelter, food and other resources, McDaniel said the Red Cross is offering spiritual and mental health support.

“Our mission is to alleviate human suffering wherever we find it," McDaniel said.

Food

West Suburban Community Pantry, 6809 Hobson Valley Dr Ste 118, Woodridge, expanded its hours to help residents who need assistance after Sunday's tornado and storms. The updated hours are:

• Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We realize hundreds of families in our area have been impacted by this storm, and once they are safely sheltered, the next priority is to replace the food they may have lost, so they can feed their families. When this is a hardship or anyone in our community is searching for support, the West Suburban Community Pantry is here to help,” WSCP Executive Director Laura Coyle said in a news release.

Those who need shelter or clothing can call 630-512-9921, and choose extension 0 to access more resources.

Loaves and Fishes Community Services, 1871 High Grove Ln., Naperville

Loaves and Fishes is open for food distribution:

• Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Food distribution is also available Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Compass Church, 151 E. Briarcliff Rd., Bolingbrook.

Downers Grove Area FISH Pantry, 4341 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove

Downers Grove's FISH Pantry offers drive-up or walk-up shopping Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call 630-964-7776 to request assistance with housing, bills or other needs.

Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn

Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is open for appointments:

• Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

And for walk-ups:

• Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

30 Days Free Storage from U-Haul

U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to residents in Chicago's western suburbs.

Contact the following U-Haul locations for more information:

• U-Haul Moving and Storage of Fox Valley, 195 S. Rte. 59, Aurora; 630-820-0322
• U-Haul Moving and Storage of Bolingbrook, 240 W. North Frontage Rd., Bolingbrook; 630-771-0316
• U-Haul Moving and Storage of Plainfield, 11238 Route 59, Naperville; 630-904-6625

"As our neighbors begin the process of cleaning up, we want to provide them with a secure place to store their possessions for 30 days at no cost," said Angela Farley, president of U-Haul Company of Chicago Western Suburbs.

Free Tarp Services for Storm Victims

3JM Exteriors, 8102 Lemont Rd., Woodridge, is offering one week of free tarping services to those impacted by Sunday's tornado and storms, said Faith Martin of 3JM. For more information, call 630-985-6494.

Account Aid from Comcast

Comcast will waive late fees and some charges for residents impacted by the tornado.

How to Help

Residents can click the link to donate funds to the Red Cross, which has been on the ground helping tornado victims since early Monday.

Volunteer in Naperville

The City of Naperville is no longer taking names of people who want to help with cleanup efforts due to the "tremendous outpouring of support from the community," according to a press release.

Volunteer opportunities are available via Good Shepherd Church, 1310 Shepherd Dr., Naperville.

Residents are encouraged to make donations to the Red Cross or local food pantries.

Donate Funds to Woodridge Rotary Club

Woodridge Rotary Club is accepting donations that will be used to aid tornado victims. Click the link to make a donation to Woodridge Rotary Club. Include "tornado response" in the comment field.

Donate Items at West Suburban Community Pantry

Shelf-stable food donations are welcome during expanded hours in the aftermath of the tornado. Expanded donation hours are:

• Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Click the link for more information about donating food or money to West Suburban Community Pantry.

Donate Items at Loaves and Fishes

Loaves and Fishes is open for food donations at the following times:

• Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Click the link for more information about making donations to Loaves and Fishes in Naperville.

Donate Items at FISH Pantry

Donations are accepted at FISH Pantry in Downers Grove Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am. to 10:30 a.m. Residents can also call 630-964-7776 to arrange a drop-off time.
Click the link for more information about donating to FISH Pantry.

Donate Items at Glen Ellyn Food Pantry

• Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Click the link for more information about how to donate food or funds to Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

Know of additional resources? Have additional resources to offer? Email lisa.farver@patch.com

More tornado coverage:

• Tornado Damage Devastates Woodridge, Naperville, Darien: Photos
• 'Devastating' Illinois Tornado Tore Through 3 Miles, Injured 8
• Illinois Tornado: 5 Things To Know About Sunday's Storms
• Naperville Tornado Latest: 1 Critically Hurt, Families Displaced
• At Least 2 Darien Areas Hit Hard In Storm
• Tornado In Woodridge, Injuries In Naperville, Gas Leaks: Reports