Critical Funds Raised For Pantry From Chef's Culinary Celebration

WOODRIDGE, IL —Nearly 300 guests assembled at parties at private homes across DuPage County on Sept. 24 to enjoy the culinary offerings of local chefs to raise money for the West Suburban Community Pantry's mission to create a community without hunger. According to a news release sent to Patch, the thought of turning the annual event into a virtual one was "daunting," but hosting hundreds of guests for an in-person celebration was impossible due to following health restrictions in place for the coronavirus pandemic.

“Not having our largest annual fundraiser would have put extreme financial strain on our ability to provide food for people in need, and we are already strained as demand has nearly tripled,” West Suburban Community Pantry Executive Director Laura Coyle said, in the news release. “I’m proud to say our team rose to this challenge like they have every challenge we’ve faced since March.”

When the pandemic hit, the pantry — headquartered in Woodridge — was in the midst of a capital campaign to expand their facilities for both in-person pantry shopping and online ordering, the news release said. The pantry serves people living in areas "higher-than-average poverty, including areas of Bolingbrook, Lisle, Naperville, Downers Grove, Darien, Willowbrook, Westmont and Romeoville," the news release stated. The group recently opened its first In-school Pantry at Irene King Elementary School in Romeoville, provides food to residential clients Bridge Communities and DuPage PADs and offers home deliveries to seniors as well as providing meal support to school students year-round, the pantry added.

According to the news release, current construction includes a larger warehouse, drive-up pick-up bays, larger food donation-receiving space, expanded lobby and private intake offices, a classroom/conference room and staff offices are currently under construction. Food delivery moved to boxes loaded into clients’ cars.

“At one point nearly 100 cars lined up out to Route 53,” Coyle said. “The Woodridge Police were wonderful at helping us manage the traffic. Senior volunteers were replaced with younger people who were at lesser risk for the virus. Warehouse companies donated boxes. And people in need kept coming."

According to the news release, sponsors of this year's virtual Chef’s Culinary Celebration included the Ann & Victor Pokorny Memorial Fund, Marquette Companies and Century 21 Affiliated Ryan Hill Group. Chefs from Belgio’s Catering, Naperville, Cadence Kitchen & Co. and The Foxtail in Downers Grove, Caffe di Moda in Lisle, Elements at Water Street in Naperville, Girl & the Goat, Chicago and SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen in Naperville.

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“We thought we might get 150 or 200 people to take part, and we adjusted our goal down from last year’s live event,” Development Manager Lisa Spaeth said, in the news release. “We were thrilled to see the level of interest and the participation in both the online auction and the virtual live fund-a-need. It was a great way to grow awareness around the issue of hunger in our area, and raise critical funds, while acknowledging the importance of food to all people.”

The event raised nearly double the goal, exceeding the amount raised at last year’s live event, the pantry added.

“The Board and staff are incredibly grateful to all who participated in this landmark event for the
Pantry,” Board of Directors Chair Jeff Sietz said, in the news release. “At a time when so many are in such need, it is gratifying to know that we have the support of the community. We could not have made this happen without the support of the sponsors, the restaurants, caterers, bakeries, wine merchants, auction donors and the many people who attended.”

According to the news release, Coyle notes that the money raised through the Chef’s Culinary Celebration has helped alleviate the strain of the past several months, but she knows winter will bring new challenges.

“We’re not out of the woods, by any means,” she added. “COVID restrictions, unemployment, higher food costs and health and safety concerns continue and may get worse in the coming months. We are committed to ending hunger by expanding our reach through innovation and technology, and continuing to treat our neighbors in need with dignity and care.”

Patch News Partner/Shutterstock

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.

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See also:

• Millions Made Hungry By Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor