Pantry thanks Oak Park Letter Carriers and Troop 16 Boy Scouts
Jun 3, 2011
Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry thanks Oak Park Letter Carriers and Troop 16 Boy Scouts for May food drive effort.
Troop 16 Scouts: Daniel Jenks, Kyle Kent, Michael Rajter, Eddie Sell, Cullen McAndrews, Drew Matticks, Casey McCormick, Matt Dittmer, and Adam Kuiken.
Many hands make light work. That is what we experienced on Saturday, May14th, in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The Letter Carriers of Oak Park collected food from community members and the Boy Scouts of Troop 16 helped to unload, sort and shelve the food at Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry.
It is a challenge to feed 1400 families every month. Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry always meets that challenge—but not without assistance from all sorts of community members. We are grateful for Steven May’s coordination of the food drive on the letter carrier side, to all the letter carriers who hauled food from neighbors’ homes to the south post office and to Boy Scout Troop 16’s help on the Pantry’s side. The strength, organization and energy of the letter carriers and Troop 16 Scouts made this event effortless for the Pantry staff.
And of course we thank all of you—neighbors supporting neighbors—who raided your own pantries to stock ours. We are deeply appreciative.
For over 30 years, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry has served as a bridge for many and a lifeline for a few. We find that 89% of our clients come to the Pantry for less than one year. The services we provide are a bridge for those ordinary people who are experiencing extraordinary circumstances. We help see them through the difficult time. For others, clients who are disabled or elderly, we may help for a longer period of time.
We are grateful that you—neighbors, letter carriers and boy scouts—work with us to support this important local safety net for those in need.
Kathy Russell, Executive Director, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry