For immediate release: Week of August 11, 2014
Contact: Anne Flanigan Bassi, Township Supervisor, 847-432-3240
Moraine Township Food Pantry on Display at First Bank of Highland Park
The exhibit can be viewed at the Ruth Fell Wander Wall, First Bank of Highland Park, 1835 First Street in Highland Park.
Moraine Township’s Food Pantry helps address food insecurity for township residents going through difficult times. With 27.5% of Highland Park/Highwood elementary students qualifying for the federal free/reduced lunch program, and many seniors in our community struggling to make ends meet on a fixed income, Food Pantry usage has increased significantly over the last year.
Benefit reductions last year for residents receiving SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a/k/a Food Stamps) impacted families and seniors alike. Moraine Township responded by offering income-qualified families access to our Food Pantry twice monthly instead of only once a month, and by expanding Pantry offerings to include fresh produce, eggs and cheese, in addition to meat and non-perishable canned and dried foods.
“Our Food Pantry helps residents stretch resources to the next paycheck or Social Security check, and also serves as a gateway to help residents obtain other benefits and resources they may be eligible for,” observes Township Supervisor Anne Flanigan Bassi. “It sometimes takes a while to bounce back from a lost job or health issue, or simply to make ends meet in lower-wage jobs.”
Food Pantry hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Residents not able to access the Pantry during these times are invited to call 847-432-3240 to arrange a time that works with their schedule.
Residents who would like to help the Township in this effort are welcome to bring contributions of unexpired, non-perishable food to our office at 777 Central Avenue, Highland Park, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tax-deductible, monetary contributions to the Township’s Community Chest are also gratefully accepted, and help defray the cost of adding produce, eggs and cheese to other Pantry offerings we make available to our residents.
The Ruth Fell Wander Wall was created at First Bank of Highland Park in 2002 in honor and memory of Ruth Fell Wander, who brought her endless energy, creativity and intelligence to making the community a better place. The wall is designed to give visibility to community services and resources to continue Ruth’s legacy.
For further information call Moraine Township 847-432-3240 or email super@morainetownship.org. Moraine Township’s website is www.morainetownship.org.