People You Should Know: Pantry Volunteers
WOODRIDGE (CBS) -- Hungry people in DuPage County have a place to turn, thanks to the West Suburban Community Pantry.
CBS 2's Harry Porterfield says the caring people who run it are people you should know.
It may be hard to imagine 1.2 million pounds of food in one place. That much food and more came through the pantry's doors last year for distribution to the needy. Roger Schmith set up the pantry 25 years ago to help a few families.
"The need (was for) people who weren't making ends meet," he said. "They just needed some assistance. So they needed some place to go to get some food for their families."
From a small start-up, the pantry now serves people not only in Woodridge, but Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Lisle, Darien and Westmont. One hundred twenty volunteers help keep it running.
Volunteer Sharon Pfiste says many of the clients are newly unemployed and have come to the pantry because of the poor economy.
"It's nice to be a support system for them to let them know that somebody cares," volunteer Andrea Bradley said.
Because of the generosity of donors, the pantry operates with a budget of more than $1 million a year.
The pantry was established in 1985 to meet the needs of only 30 families. Today 800 families are receiving not only food but toiletry items that food stamps can't buy.
Clients can also receive free car seats, school supplies and diapers. The pantry also provides free school breakfasts to 900 students every school day of the year. It also offers online shopping.
"Hunger is an injustice in this country and any country in the whole world," Schmith said. "I must get involved."
If you'd like to know more about the pantry or make a donation, click here.
