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Combat Hunger Year-Round!

Posted on September 27, 2024

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream

Pictured from Left to Right:
Sue Rini, Executive Director, Carol Stream Park District
Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Commissioner, District 6
Dan Bird, Carol Stream Park District Board Commissioner
Tony Scerbo, Carol Stream Park District Parks Specialist

 

The Carol Stream Park District is partnering with the County of DuPage, in support of their Food Pantry Program.  By serving as a year-round collection site, the Carol Stream Park District will help fight hunger and food insecurity in the community. Donations will be distributed to the Carol Stream Outreach Community Center and Wayne Township food banks.

Donations can be dropped off at the following park district facilities during operating hours:

  • Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream
  • Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Rd, Carol Stream

Unexpired goods and nonperishable items needed include:

  • Canned/Jarred Pasta Sauce
  • Canned Tuna/Chicken
  • Canned Fruit & Vegetables
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pancake Mix & Syrup
  • Pasta & Rice
  • Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues)
  • All-Purpose Cleaning Products
  • Dish Soap
  • Hygiene Products
  • Diapers (Adult & Baby), Wipes

This initiative to keep local food pantries stocked year-round was spearheaded by County Commissioner Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Board District 6, after being approached by the Northern Illinois Food Bank regarding the ongoing need. Collaborating with Schwarze, Carol Stream Park District Executive Director Sue Rini requested the parks department to build special donation boxes designed to stand out as food collection boxes.

“We are committed to supporting our community in every way we can,” said Sue Rini. “This partnership allows us to take action against food insecurity and offer our facilities as accessible collection points for residents who want to help.”

The marketing awareness campaign, “You can make a difference: GIVE FOOD ALL YEAR ROUND,” will include monthly email reminders to customers, social media posts, and a webpage with more information and links to community donation sites and pantries. Recreation staff are also considering incentives to include the food drive in their programming.

Community facilities near Carol Stream that accept donations and also provide food pantry items to those in need are listed below. If you are in need of food pantry assistance, please check the websites or call for days and hours.

  • Bloomingdale Township, 123 Rosedale Avenue, Bloomingdale, 630-529-9993
  • Milton Township, 1492 N. Main St, Wheaton, 630-668-1616
  • Wayne Township, 27W031 North Ave, West Chicago, 630-231-7140
  • Interfaith Food Pantry, 345 S. President St, Carol Stream, 630-665-6426
  • Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Rd, Carol Stream, 630-665-5188

This ongoing effort demonstrates the power of community partnerships in addressing local challenges and making a lasting impact.

See our GIVE FOOD ALL YEAR ROUND webpage.

 

The following photos may be downloaded from the Carol Stream Park District Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qr094zc81hmjc49afpeyt/AMBuoeoGrYBVD3nERTB910k?rlkey=uiyuafaaldczmnvb56kvzy9k2&st=3mzshbsc&dl=0

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream

Pictured from Left to Right:
Sue Rini, Executive Director, Carol Stream Park District
Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Commissioner, District 6
Dan Bird, Carol Stream Park District Board Commissioner
Tony Scerbo, Carol Stream Park District Parks Specialist

 

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream

Pictured from Left to Right:
Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Commissioner, District 6
Dan Bird, Carol Stream Park District Board Commissioner

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream

Pictured: Tony Scerbo, Carol Stream Park District Parks Specialist (food box creator & builder

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Simkus Recreation Center lobby, 849 W. Lies Rd, Carol Stream

 

Food Collection Bin located at Carol Stream Park District Simkus Recreation Center lobby, 849 W. Lies Rd, Carol Stream

 

Food Collection bin located at Carol Stream Park District, Simkus Recreation Center lobby, 849 W. Lies Rd, Carol Stream.

Pictured are: Sue Rini, Executive Director and Tony Scerbo, Parks Specialist

 

Photo gallery from left to right showing location of bins:

  1. Executive Director Sue Rini with Parks Specialist Tony Scerbo, and designer builder of the food receptacle bins.
  2. Parks Specialist Tony Scerbo.
  3. Bin located at Simkus Recreation Center main lobby
  4. Close up of bin located at Simkus Recreation Center main lobby
  5. Bin located at Fountain View Recreation Center main lobby
  6. Another photo of the bin located at Fountain View Recreation Center main lobby

 

 

 

 

 

 

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