North Shore organizations are intensifying efforts to assist those facing financial pressures during this holiday season.
Starting in late November, and set to run through December, New Trier Township and the city of Evanston are hosting events designed to provide assistance to those in need.
On Nov. 22, New Trier Township hosted its annual Thanksgiving dinner pickup at Winnetka Presbyterian Church. More than 150 dinners, fresh fruit and harvest baskets were distributed to food pantry clients and residential agency partners.
“We had a constant stream of clients driving through,” noted Township Supervisor Gail Eisenberg. “Everyone seemed very grateful and excited to celebrate the holidays.”
Monday’s event also featured baskets donated by a local Girl Scout troop.
“New Trier Township is consistently ranked among the wealthiest areas in the United States,” according to the township food pantry’s website. “Adversity, however, knows no boundaries. Our clients face job loss, devastating illness, divorce, underemployment or other unforeseen life circumstances that prompt them to seek our assistance.”
Located at the township offices at 739 Elm Avenue in Winnetka, the pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The pantry is open to any need-based New Trier resident. New for this year, officials expanded eligibility to anyone who works in the township, Eisenberg noted.
“It was a recognition of the value our employees provide to the community and the lack of affordable housing. They are contributing to our community and we support them,” Eisenberg said.
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The food pantry is operating under COVID-19 safety mitigations and as a result clients receive a prepackaged bag of staples a choice of two meat items, fresh produce and paper products along with laundry detergent.
Those interested in making a financial donation to the food pantry can go to the pantry’s website. The pantry also takes in donations of nonperishable items during business hours.
Over in Evanston, residents are encouraged to donate to the latest version of the Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive, a program run through the office of Mayor Daniel Biss in cooperation with local faith-based groups, nonprofit organizations and community organizations.
“The goal of this program is to ensure equity for all of our constituents and to that everyone in Evanston is on a level playing field with food, books and toys,” Recreation Manager Ken Cherry said.
As part of the drive, officials are collecting new, unwrapped toys plus nonperishable food items such as stuffing, yams and cornbread mix. Residents may also donate either new or gently used books at 16 different locations including the Evanston Public Library at 1703 Orrington Avenue or the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center at 1655 Foster Street.
Cherry said there is a goal to serve 500 residents this year, surpassing last year’s total of 420.
Due to COVID-19, the current renditions of the Food Drive are scaled back to walk in and drop off opportunities for residents, with party atmospheres not possible.
“I hope that comes back next year,” Cherry said.
Cherry said people interested in making financial donation can utilize the city of Evanston’s website.
According to Feeding America, more than 1.2 million people in Illinois face hunger, including one out of eight children.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter.