“It’s a Perfect Storm and Families are Suffering”
Woodridge, IL – New West Suburban Community Pantry CEO Suzanne Armato describes the current economic conditions as “the perfect storm of rising costs, supply issues and families needing more help than ever.” Armato is inviting the press and the community to attend the State of the Pantry on Wednesday, October 26th from 5:30 –7:00 pm at the WSCP, 6809 Hobson Valley Drive, Suite 118 in Woodridge. Media avails before or after the event by prior contact.
“This is a call to action,” Armato says. “We want to inform all our stakeholders that the demand for our services has tripled in the last several months. Where we served 280 families the third week in October a year ago, last week we saw 726 households come to us for help. Economic conditions have overwhelmed families at the same time that food items we used to get donated are now costing us, and the price of items we’ve traditionally purchased has soared. In some cases, we cannot even source basics like eggs. We are determined to meet the challenge, but we need the help of the community.”
Armato will be joined by Board members as well as a Pantry client who will share her personal experience. “We still plan to talk about the innovations we have created to serve better. We will share the ways we are helping families toward self-sufficiency. And we have not let go of our larger plans to grow our impact. But people are suffering and we must sound the alarm to meet the challenge.”
Armato will share current statistics on demand as well as plans to address the current surge in need and bolster support services. Board President Kevin Delano will address strategic growth plans. Information stations will share details on donor and volunteer opportunities, support services, the Virtual Food Pantry and the Pantry Store.
The West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) offers food for the hungry and resources to empower persons to improve their quality of life. Serving over 8,000 individuals each month, WSCP is integral to helping low-income neighbors in DuPage and Will Counties receive the nutrition they need to lead full lives. WSCP is working to break down barriers to food assistance, implementing innovative new services to best help people in our community, and ultimately realize the vision of a community without hunger.
In addition to the on-site Pantry Store in Woodridge, WSCP offers a Virtual Food Pantry facilitating on-line orders with a DoorDash option and has multiple remote distribution sites across the region. The Pantry works with many area schools and has instituted the region’s first In-School Pantry to serve families in an elementary school where 87% of children are eligible for free or reduced lunch program. WSCP also provides home delivery for home-bound seniors. The Pantry collaborates with a number of area agencies and offers a wide range of free programs and support services designed to improve families’ quality of life.
