During the holiday season, the Streatorland Food Pantry is intensifying its efforts to support local families. With an all-volunteer team, they are now seeking additional assistance from Streator residents.

"Helping Hands for the Holidays: The Streatorland Food Pantry"

Thanksgiving Assistance

During Thanksgiving, the pantry collaborated with Streator High School's FFA chapter to offer nearly 200 turkey dinners to local families. The FFA raised funds to cover the dinner essentials, while the pantry provided the turkeys. This joint effort demonstrated the community's unity in providing for those in need during the holiday.

It was a heartwarming sight to see families receive a warm meal during this special time. The pantry's partnership with the FFA chapter not only provided food but also strengthened the bond between the school and the local community.

Such initiatives during Thanksgiving show the importance of coming together during the holidays and ensuring that no one goes hungry.

Christmas Challenges

With fewer resources available for Christmas, board member Tony Bitto informed that the nonprofit will only be able to provide what they have. There are no special distributions or events planned due to limited funds.

Bitto emphasized that the pantry depends solely on donations, and sometimes they face difficulties in going the extra mile during the holiday season. However, they had a good donation month in November, which provided some relief.

The rising costs of groceries have led to an increase in the number of families seeking assistance from the pantry. Grocery prices in the Midwest region of Illinois have risen by about 2.4% over the past year, making it even more challenging for families to make ends meet.

Volunteer Needs

To keep up with the demand, the pantry requires more volunteers, especially during the busy holiday season. Bitto highlighted the need for younger individuals to help with unloading food shipments and assisting people.

The volunteer base is aging, and they are burning out due to the hard work involved. Having a diverse group of volunteers is crucial to ensure the pantry's smooth operation.

They have a good group of guys who come in to help unload trucks, but they are always looking to expand their volunteer pool. Rotating volunteers in and out will help prevent burnout and ensure continuous service.

Donation Opportunities

Donations of nonperishable food, hygiene products, and monetary contributions are welcome. The pantry uses cash donations to purchase perishable items like milk, eggs, bread, and butter.

Every donation counts and helps in making a difference in the lives of those in need. The pantry's mission is simple - to give what they have to people who need it.

Residents can visit the pantry's website or call Tony Bitto directly at 262-408-1669 to learn more about how to donate or sign up as a volunteer.

The Giving Fence

The Streatorland Community Food Pantry has a Giving Fence, a drive to provide coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to those in need. Donations are accepted, and unused items should be placed in a ziplock bag and clipped to the fence.

This initiative allows anyone in need to take and use the items. It is important to bring the donations in a way that keeps the area neat and organized. The pantry requests that donations be carefully prepared for use.

The Giving Fence is a great way for the community to come together and contribute to the well-being of others during the cold winter months.

The pantry is located at 210 N. Wasson St., just down the road from the fire department. Its hours are from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.