We Care of Grundy County holds first mobile pantry of 2016

MORRIS – The first Mobile Pantry of 2016 recently was hosted and sponsored by First Christian Church of Morris at 455 W. Southmor Road in Morris.

It was a cold night for the mobile pantry, but the First Christian Church offered to move the pantry indoors to its gymnasium, where it set up tables and chairs so volunteers and guests could take shelter from the elements.

We Care members expressed thanks to the First Christian Church for its help and sponsorship as well as for providing use of its indoor space.

During the pantry event, 144 people were served from a delivery of 8,531 pounds of food.

Each household received about 59 pounds of food, which included pudding mix, green beans, Uncle Ben’s rice cups, diced tomatoes, assorted meats and cheeses, Arby’s Jalapeno Hushpuppies, fresh baby carrots, fresh potatoes, Oscar Meyer chicken and ham and brioche buns.

“This is really a great program. The first year that it had started, Chuck Richardson stood at the pulpit and announced that he wanted to sponsor two trucks in the coming year,” said Margie Weber, of First Christian Church in Morris. “Through special offering, we ended up having enough money to do three or four trucks, and we have been doing it ever since. It’s a wonderful idea and has been very successful.”

We Care of Grundy County provides a mobile pantry each month that is available for anyone who resides in Grundy County and is in need of food with no restrictions on household income.

The following is the 2016 schedule for mobile pantries and sponsors:

• Feb. 10 – We Care of Grundy County, 530 Bedford Road in Morris; Sponsored by Morris Hospital

• March 9 – Early Childhood Education Center, 755 S. Carbon Hill Road in Coal City; Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Morris

• April 13 – Mazon Verona Kinsman Middle School, 1013 North St. in Mazon; Sponsored by New Community Christian Church of Morris

• May 11 – Gardner American Legion, 426 Industry Ave. in Gardner; Sponsored by Standard Bank

• June 8 – Early Childhood Education Center, 755 S. Carbon Hill Road in Coal City; Sponsored by Morris Hospital

• July 13 – Mazon Verona Kinsman Middle School, 1013 North St. in Mazon; Sponsored by Mazon State Bank, Seco Systems and ITW Filtration

• Aug. 10 – First Christian Church, 455 W. Southmor Road in Morris; Sponsored by First Christian Church of Morris

• Sept. – Mazon Verona Kinsman Middle School, 1013 North St. in Mazon; Sponsored by Mazon State Bank, Seco Systems and ITW Filtration

• Oct. 12 – Gardner American Legion, 426 Industry Ave. in Gardner; Sponsored by New Community Christian Church of Morris

• Nov. 9 – Early Childhood Education Center, 755 S. Carbon Hill Road in Coal City; Sponsored by Morris Hospital

• Dec. 14 – Gardner American Legion, 426 Industry Ave. in Gardner; Sponsorship available

Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to bring a container to carry the items.

Attendees are asked to provide proof of residency either with a valid drivers’ license, state ID or utility bill with a current Grundy County address. For information, call 815-942-6389.

We Care is a nonprofit agency that provides emergency assistance to Grundy County residents in the form of food, clothing, rent, utility and prescription assistance.

We Care is a United Way partner agency and primarily is funded through private donations.

It is located at 530 W. Bedford Road in Morris. For information, visit www.wecareofgrundy.com