The Vernon Township Food Pantry will remain open despite concerns related to the spread of the new coronavirus, officials announced Saturday.
The food pantry, which has operated for more than 25 years, will transition to a drive thru service “for the safety of our food pantry families and our staff,” Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg said in a news release.
Residents who have access to transportation can go to the food pantry and receive two pre-packaged bags of food. Staff will place the bags in the vehicles, according to Altenberg.
“Should a food pantry resident be experiencing symptoms, find their normal transportation options unavailable, or are elderly, the township will work to deliver food to residents on a limited, as-needed basis,” Altenberg said.
Barrett Monie, Vernon Township director of constituent affairs, said the food pantry serves many senior citizens, who are most at-risk, according to the CDC.
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“We want to make sure they’re still getting their food without getting out of their car and interacting with anyone,” he said.
In the last 10 years, the Vernon Township Food Pantry has provided an estimated quarter ton of food worth nearly $500,000, according to the news release.
It’s open on the first and third Wednesday and Thursday of each month. The pantry is still accepting food donations, according to Monie.
Monie also said the pantry is in most need of cleaning supplies and food specifically for kids.
“We have families whose kids are now at home,” he said. “If they were relying on the schools for breakfast or lunch, we’re trying to make sure they’re getting an extra bag that has kid-friendly breakfast, lunch and snack items.”
Questions can be directed to the Vernon Township office at 847-634-4600.
Many other local food pantries, including St. Mary of Vernon’s Sharing Hands Food Pantry, in Indian Creek, and St. Anne Catholic Community Hope Ministries’ Project Hope Food Pantry, in Barrington, are also expected to remain open.
“The food pantry serves people in need and in crisis,” said Sue Olafson, director of the St. Anne Catholic Community Hope Ministries’ Project Hope Food Pantry. “We are very busy.”
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