Irvington Food Pantry Support Continues as Demand Increases

In operation since 2007, the Irvington U.C.C. Food Pantry (the Food Pantry) serves all residents of Washington County.  It has continued to serve families each week during the pandemic, with numbers increasing from the typical 40 families served in many weeks.

All in Washington County are welcome.  The Food Pantry plans to do everything possible to continue to remain open during this pandemic.

While the Food Pantry is run as a ministry by volunteers of the ten United Church of Christ churches in Washington County, many churches and people throughout the county donate the money and food necessary to operate the pantry.  These donations from church groups, organizations, businesses and memorials for loved ones are very much appreciated.

Since the physical donations of cans and boxes of food are not coming in during the pandemic, cash donations have been important to keep the shelves stocked during 2020.

Personal care items such as toothbrushes and soap, and household supplies, such as paper and cleaning products, and diapers, are also provided when they are available from donations.

Washington County residents in need of food who are unable to physically come to the Food Pantry can obtain a proxy form so someone else can pick up their food.  Proxy forms can be printed from the State of Illinois Department of Human Services website:  http://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-4510.pdf.  Proxy forms may also be picked up at St. Peter’s Church office in Okawville by calling 243-5973.  Please secure a proxy, come to the Food Pantry and deliver food to those in need you may know.  It’s easy to do and provides a blessing to those in need.

The Food Pantry also operates “Food Fairs,” typically twice a year, sponsored by the St. Louis USDA Food Bank, where more fresh food is given out to those in need.  Food Fairs are advertised several weeks prior to the event.  A Thanksgiving Food Fair was held November 24th and 96 families were served.

Clients normally come into the Food Pantry and socialize while waiting for the volunteers to gather their food and supplies.  Since March, clients stay in their vehicle and volunteers bring the food to the client’s vehicle, limiting exposure.

As the Coronavirus crisis continues to unfold, the Food Pantry is expecting the need in our county to increase even more.  As more people face short term unemployment and have children out of school to feed at home, the Food Pantry is preparing for more people that need help.

The Food Pantry hours are:

1st and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

If you are able to donate to the Food Pantry, either a cash donation or a donation of food or personal care/household supply items, it will be very much appreciated.  To make a donation, please contact any U.C.C. church in the county or mail your donation directly to the Food Pantry Treasurer, Jane Dick at P.O. Box 516, Okawville, IL 62271.