Volunteer Opportunities for the New Year

Why not start out the new year by giving back to local organizations. Here are a few local nonprofits seeking volunteers.

The New Year has arrived and if you are like most people you’ve made a few resolutions. Often people resolve to give back more to their communities, and keeping that in mind, here are some local organizations who are always looking for volunteers. Know a group that should be on this list, but isn’t? Add it in comments or e-mail Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com. Glen Ellyn Food Pantry: Not only does the pantry need food and monetary donations, it relies heavily on its volunteers to keep operating. SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education): Volunteers are sought for the nonprofit to help with office tasks and organizing. Volunteers of all ages are welcome whether students or retirees. And, …

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Area Children Help Collect Donations for Local Food Pantries

Participants in the B.R. Ryall YMCA Safe 'n Sound program began collecting food for area food pantries in November.

From the B.R. Ryall YMCA B.R. Ryall YMCA’s Safe ‘n Sound afterschool program participants collected more than 1200 items to donate to local food pantries. It all started in November when the kids were sharing what they were grateful for. Their responses reflected the typical kid answers about family, friends and toys as well as an understanding about the importance of having a home and food to eat. That discussion was the impetus for their food drive which took off from there.   “We want to teach the children the value of giving back to your community,” said Erin White, Director of Safe ‘n Sound at the B.R. Ryall YMCA, “Giving back can help build a child’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as build a foundation to encourage life-long …

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Glen Ellyn Food Pantry to Benefit from Nicor Gas Food Drive

Employees at Nicor Gas locations around northern Illinois, including Glen Ellyn, collected food and monetary donations for area food pantries.

At a time when the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is in great need of food and donations, employees from one area utility company are giving back to help those in need. Employees from Nicor Gas collected food and made monetary donations to nine northern Illinois food pantries to help them meet the demand during this time of year. The employees held food drives at Nicor locations around the area and collected about 1,000 pounds of food and collected $31,500 in monetary donations for local food pantries, according to a news release from Nicor Gas. “One of the core values that define us as an organization is our generosity of spirit,” Beth Reese, president of Nicor Gas said in a news release. “I am humbled by the response from our employees and their…

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Week in Review: D41 Parents Take Up Think Tank Petition; Food Pantry in Great Need

A look back at some of the top stories and stories of local interest from the week.

District 41 Board Begins Think Tank Discussion, Seeks Clarifications The Glen Ellyn District 41 Board of Education began to discuss the Think Tank initiative and has asked for some clarifications. District 41 Parents Petition Against Think Tank Initiative Parents have started a petition asking Glen Ellyn District 41 to hold off on implementing Think Tank initiative changes in the 2013-14 school year. Police Blotter: DUI, Controlled Substance Possession, iPad Grabbed Glen Ellyn Police Department reports, Dec. 2-8 Court Sentences Fourth Man in Cocaine Drug Ring to 16 Years in Prison Alfredo Garcia, 36, of Bolingbrook, was one of seven people arrested in July 2011 in a drug bust at La Playa Cantina. Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in Desperate Need of…

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Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in Desperate Need of Donations

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is in need of cash and food donations to meet client demand.

Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in Desperate Need of Donations

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is in need of cash and food donations to meet client demand.

The need for food in the Glen Ellyn area has grown to the point where the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is now experiences shortages in funds and food items. The nonprofit is reaching out to the community to seek additional donations. While the food pantry receives a lot of community support, the need for food assistance has surpassed cash donations. The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is short on donations of food items and cash donations it uses to purchase perishable goods including: milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, frozen meat and vegetables. “With the economy we are definitely seeing a bigger rise in new clients, that has something to do with it,” said Terri Venzon, the pantry coordinator. “I’m sure over the years it’s been a roller coaster [with need …

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Food, Brews and Benefits: Holiday 2012 Glen Ellyn Gives Back

Is your group, school or club doing something special to support the community this holiday? Share it with us and we will post it in a column. Contact Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.

Surprise the children in your life with a creative and fun gingerbread decorating event, while helping mothers and children this holiday season who are seeking safer futures free from domestic violence. Sponsored by Family Shelter Service and the Southeast Community Resource Council, this fundraising event, being held at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, will include a breakfast buffet (served 9:30 - 11 a.m. — come when you like, stay as long as you want), visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, musical entertainment, caroling, storytelling, balloon artist, costumed storybook characters, face painting and more.  All proceeds benefit Family Shelter Service, offering help and hope to individuals affected by domestic violence. Tickets are $40. …

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Food Pantry Seeks Donations to Supply More Than 600 Thanksgiving Meals

The number of meals the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry distributes at Thanksgiving has steadily increased every year for the last several years, but the community's help is needed to ensure continued success.

Every month, the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry provides food to about 1,500 people who are at risk of going hungry without the nonprofit’s help. Forty percent of those helped are children. In recent years, the food pantry has experienced an increase in the number of families and individuals it serves. With the holidays around the corner, the organization is hoping the community will help ensure that everyone has a happy Thanksgiving and answer the call for its Thanksgiving Meal Appeal. The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is seeking sponsors for its Thanksgiving Meal Boxes. This year, the organization will distribute 660 meal boxes (450 large family; 170 small family), Executive Director Susan Papierski said. That number is 110 more meal boxes than it …

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Paisley, Pantry Partner to Fill the Window with Food

Paisley on Main is accepting food donations for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

Two days remain to help fill the front window at Paisley on Main with donated food items. For the first time the shop is partnering with the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry to help raise funds, food and awareness of hunger in the community.  All of the merchandise was emptied from the front window of the store to make room for a shopping cart, which will be filled with food, said the store’s owner Sue Cleary. The hope is the pile of food will grow as the days go on.  The idea to hold the food drive was very last minute and was planned in one day, Clearly said. The drive started last Wednesday and food donations will be accepted through Tuesday. “We are blessed to be part of such a vibrant, affluent community,” Cleary said. “Unfortunately, things …

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Wonderful Wednesday

U2 Eucharist to Raise Funds for Glen Ellyn Food Pantry

A special worship service will be held Sunday at the First United Methodist Church.

Music with a mission will be on tap Sunday at a special religious service that will incorporate the music of the band U2 with worship. The outcome will benefit local and global food programs.  The U2 Eucharist will be held at the First United Methodist Church. The hunger relief concert will include songs from the band throughout the religious service. Everyone is invited to attend the special service and worship. All donations collected during the service will go toward the fight against hunger, said Rev. Kristen Larsen. Locally, the funds will go to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Funds will also be donated to the World Food Program. The church has held free concerts in the past, but this is the first time it has held the U2 Eucharist, which …

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