Plainfield Residents Urged To Donate Food To Combat Hunger

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield residents are being asked to combat food insecurity as September is National Hunger Action Month.

To help support the local food pantries, the Village of Plainfield, C.W. Avery Family Y.M.C.A., Plainfield Park District, Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield School District 202, and Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce are encouraging residents, organizations, and local businesses to donate to one of the local pantries.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year’s end. That’s 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

With the pandemic, all the pantries have seen an increase in requests for service. Residents can help by donating online or by dropping off nonperishable donations at one of the local pantries listed below:

• Bags of Hope, a private backpack food program, serves Plainfield School District 202 and welcomes both monetary and nonperishable donations. To donate online or for a list of locations that accept donations, visit here.
• On Sept. 19, from 9-11 a.m., the Plainfield Park District will hold a drive-through collection event for Bags of Hope at the Prairie Activity and Recreation Center located at 24550 W. Renwick Road. For more information, visit www.plfdparks.org.
• Green Harvest Food Pantry also welcomes monetary and nonperishable donations. To donate online, visit www.greenharvest.org or drop off donations at 25448 W. Ruff St.
• Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry – Donate online at www.plainfieldfoodpantry.org or drop off nonperishable items at Plainfield Township, 22525 W. Lockport St., or the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce at 24109 W. Lockport St.
• To donate online to St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry, visit the website.

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 54 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.