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Politics & Government

Demand Rises, Donations Decline at Maine Township Food Pantry

Size, not quantity, of donations smaller.

Evidence the economy is improving since economists reported the end of the recession in 2009 is not to be found at Maine Township Food Pantry in Park Ridge.

Two years later demand is up at the pantry, 1700 Ballard Road. And need is expected to increase dramatically as the weather gets colder in November, which has been the case in past years.

Carol Teschky, supervisor at the pantry, said the situation indicates the recession is not over.

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“It indicates the economy is still very, very fragile out here,” Teschky said. “I don’t see any recovery as we read about in the national media.”

In Sept. 2010, the pantry, supported almost totally within the township, distributed 228 food boxes. The count for Sept. 2011 is 248 boxes. The average per month this year is 264 boxes, and the organization has distributed 2,377 boxes of food this year so far, as of September.

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Earlier:

Teschky said in 2010 the pantry served 4,729 adults and 1,735 children, who drew from 3,149 boxes of food.

Through September of this year, the panty served 3,564 adults and 1,365 children. At present rates there could be an overall increase over last year, she said.

Size of cash donations shrinks

The economy’s pinch on the middle class has been seen in the size of cash donations to the pantry. Teschky said such contributions are still steadily coming into the Ballard Road offices, but overall check amounts this year are trending smaller.

“I’m overwhelmed by the residents here,” Teschky said, despite the smaller incoming dollar amounts, their contributions have been very marvelous.”

Teschky said several churches hold food drives more than once a year.

“Churches, chambers of commerce, individuals, businesses—they’ve really stepped up to the plate,” Teschky said.

Cynthia Carranza, director of , said the biggest increase in food recipients this year has been middle-class families who never used a pantry before, but now have been buffeted by long-term unemployment and foreclosures.

Donation hours for food at the general assistance office of the township hall are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Food pickup times are 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.

Desired donations to the pantry include macaroni & cheese, cereal, juice and juice boxes, Kool-aid, canned tuna and chicken, plain and prepared rice, canned fruit and apple sauce, crackers, instant and canned white potatoes, peanut butter and jelly, pancake mix and syrup, prepared meals, desserts, condiments like ketchup and beverages, flour, sugar, oil, salt and pepper.

Non-food items sought for donations include cooking and cleaning supplies, paper products such as towels and toilet paper, and personal hygiene products like shampoo, toothpaste and bath soap.

Another source of help for Des Plaines residents is .

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