Helping Neighbors In Need At The New Trier Food Pantry

This fall, the New Trier Food Pantry desperately needed more support.

Due to the Covid virus, not enough people or organizations were available to help neighbors on the North Shore make ends meet.

About 250 people, representing more than 130 households, are registered to use the pantry every month. During these difficult times, the pantry was allowing some of the pantry users to come weekly. Typical users come once every two weeks.

Overall, donations were down. Yet the need for food and personal care items was greater. There were fewer choices available for pantry users.

Thankfully, the critical situation was relieved due to an outpouring of volunteer support from one of the largest, longtime donors, Congregation Hakafa of Winnetka/Glencoe. (www.hakafa.org)

Spanning a tradition of the volunteer support for over a decade, Congregation Hakafa has been a regular donor for the New Trier Food Pantry. During the High Holidays, members put together bags of nonperishable groceries and paper items. Some of the items in greatest demand include: Canned Fruit, Canned Tuna, Soups, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cooking Oil, Salad Dressings, Pancake Mix, Oatmeal, Cereal and detergent.

This year, more coordination at Congregation Hakafa was required since all services were held virtually. Still, members rose to the occasion. People still packed bags of donations. Many volunteered to pick up those bags, driving from house to house. Afterwards, the volunteers delivered the bags to the New Trier Food Pantry, at 739 Elm Street in Winnetka. The donations totaled approximately 340 bags!

Their enthusiastic support was acknowledged by Brain Leverenz, New Trier Township Community Services Administrator.

“Thanks once again for your outstanding efforts at this year’s food drive. You had expressed concern that it might be smaller because of COVID, but by the time it all came in, it looks like more than last year! Your efforts have really stocked up our shelves for the fall, and it came just in time as we were running low on many supplies. Because of the pandemic, we’ve lost some food drives and donors, but your congregation really came through at a time when needs are up and donations are down.”

Since 1965, the New Trier Food Pantry has been serving individuals and families across Glencoe, Winnetka, Northfield, Wilmette, Kenilworth and parts of Glenview. It serves as a bridge between those who can give and those in need. The shelves are typically stocked with produce, canned and packaged food, frozen foods, laundry detergent, toiletry items and paper goods. See: https://www.newtriertownship.com/156/Food-Pantry

Those in need for any reason can contact township Social Worker, Jeanne Winsted Rosser by phoning (847) 446-8201 or via email at jwinstedrosser@newtriertownship.com.

Please be aware that donations for the New Trier Food Pantry are appreciated at any time. Any individual or organization can donate, Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, by stopping and ringing the buzzer at the front door of the New Trier Food Pantry, 739 Elm Street in Winnetka. For those who want to organize a drive or have questions, call Brian at 847-446-8203.