May 2017
The Newsletter of the Irving Park Community Food Pantry
Celebrating Thirty-Two Years of Service to the Community
Community Donations Aid Pantry
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry received a number of major contributions in recent weeks that were greatly appreciated. These included:
- $500 from the Old Irving Park Association for our general operations.
- $1,440 from Liberty Tax Service, collected from a promotion they ran in March and April based on the number of tax returns they completed. It follows a program in January and February that generated a donation of $420.
- Food donations from a drive held by Beaubien Elementary School.
- Socks collected by Belding School during its sock drive in April.
- Large amounts of pet food donated by Pet Supplies Plus, collected and delivered by Randy Patke (from the Elston near Addison store) and volunteer Margie Pomonis (Lincolnwood store).
- Completed Easter baskets donated by the congregations at Irving Park Lutheran Church and Irving Park United Methodist Church.
We appreciate all those who give time, money and effort to organize and participate in our programs.
Accepting the OIPA donation of $500 are Executive Director John Psiharis and Volunteer Manager Gina Hubberts (right), along with Bookkeeper Lisa Albrecht (left) and Intake Volunteer Sarada Amani, both from Old Irving Park.
Audra Nelson and her merry band of minions delivered baskets from Disney II Elementary School and distributed them and others to clients for their kids during the final week of our Easter program. Thank you to everyone who donated time, money and effort to ensure these children could celebrate.
Garden Donations Needed
The Pantry has begun work on its herb garden for the new season. The garden, just outside the Pantry’s door at 3801 N. Keeler, grows basil, chives, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme.
We appreciate all donations of herbs and gardening materials or tools. We harvest the herbs each week and include them in our food distributions.
Pantry Serves 1,259 in March
In March, the Pantry served 1,259 people in 432 households, including 61 people in 21 households during our Tuesday night distribution. Volunteers also helped 19 households with 26 people apply for Web SNAP benefits.
Pet food was distributed to 196 households. Thank you to everyone who volunteers and donates for helping us be “Neighbors Helping Neighbo