Cool Deal for National Day of Service
Jan 21, 2009
Baby, it’s cold outside. Really cold. Time to pick up some long underwear. Which got us thinking about those who couldn’t afford to buy any. So the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry and the Walk-In Ministry, together with the help of a group of local grassroots Obama supporters devoted to change, coordinated a special collection of food, cash, and long johns. The event was held at the pantry in conjunction with the National Day of Service. 
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, Feeding America joined with President-elect Barack Obama in calling hunger advocates to service to help re-ignite the nation’s spirit of volunteerism and community service. He invited all Americans to join him in a National Day of Service, “Renewing America Together.”
Our Long John event was a true community endeavor with over 100 volunteers and donors participating. In all we raised over $1500, 40 bags of food, and over 100 pieces of long underwear. And as a sweet reward, those who made a donation received a free long john pastry, courtesy of the Dunkin’ Donuts located at 6820 W. Roosevelt in Oak Park.
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Food banks across America are reporting a 30 percent increase in requests for emergency food assistance, according to a new survey conducted by Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. Here at the OPRF Food Pantry, our client visits grew 37% last year. We are grateful for all who participated in the Long John event, but especially to the grass-roots group for forming to plan, advertise and run the event. We’re sure this is exactly what the President had in mind when he called on us all to serve. Thank you all!
