When Jeff Eberhard took note of the needs of some of the people living near his Joliet car dealership, he decided to take action.
At first, he offered backpacks filled with food, clothing and other necessities. But when he realized some of the residents around his business didn’t want to ask for help, he came up with a different solution, leaving food and other items in a small sheltered space outside the dealership where people could access items anonymously.
That was three years ago, and his micropantry effort has taken off. Today, Eberhard, co-owner of E-Z Auto Sales, can point to 63 micropantries he has set up across Will County and northern Illinois. Each one has been adopted by a business owner, government office or a church, and each one is stocked with food items and other necessities like diapers or toiletry items.
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“So many were too embarrassed or prideful to ask for help or did not want the hassle of completing paperwork,” said Eberhard, who lives in Morris. “The micropantries allow them to just stop by and take what they need for their families and children.”
Earlier this month, Eberhard’s effort was awarded a Governor’s Hometown Award. The project also was a finalist for the Governor’s Cup. The awards recognize those who have contributed to projects that improve a community’s quality of life.
“This man is amazing and generous,” said Cindy Jackson, program coordinator of community health initiatives at the Will County Public Health Department.
Jackson, who nominated Eberhard for the Governor’s Hometown Award, began working with him in 2018 when he installed a micropantry in front of the health department offices in Joliet. Since its installation, Eberhard has made sure the pantry remains in good repair and has shown up on several occasions with food to help restock the micropantry, Jackson said.
“He’s helping so many people get food services,” Jackson said, noting the health department serves many people who are considered food insecure.
While food pantries help meet the need of those who are food insecure, Jackson noted the larger pantries are only open one or two days a week. Micropantries help fill the gap and make sure families have their needs meet throughout the week. It’s also a way to help those who, for whatever reason, may not want to go to a food pantry.
“It’s meant to help anyone in need,” Eberhard said. “There’s no sign-up, no strings attached. Anyone can use it.”
Although micropantries are nothing new and have gone by different names, such as “blessing boxes,” Eberhard works to make sure each micropantry he sets up is adopted by a government office, business, church or community group to make sure the shelves in the pantry remain stocked.
“It’s meant to engage the community,” he said, noting the micropantries rely on people who stop by to restock the shelves.
Eberhard, who provides the materials for each micropantry he has set up, said he has seen first-hand the give and take of the micropantry in action.
“My office window kind of overlooks it,” he said of the micropantry at his business. “In an hour there could be five people who have used it and three people who have come up and helped fill it.”
Eberhard, who also has been known to help people find jobs or get medical services, noted the micropantries have given him a chance to meet people he might not otherwise have met and be a part of their success. He noted one man who began using the micropantry in front of his business was a former drug addict, who, with some help, has been off drugs for nearly a year.
“It’s not just a food resource,” he said. “It’s an opportunity.”
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown