True to their mission of “Care. Share. Strengthen. Committed to our neighbors. We supply supplemental food help to our neighbors in their times of need.” Kendall County Community Food Pantry (KCCFP) is doing its best to deliver to seniors who are in need of such assistance.
Door Dash for senior citizens is the newest service available through KCCFP. As of October 6, community senior citizens can request to have groceries delivered to their door through the Door Dash program.
“This is a new partnership between the Food Pantry, Door Dash, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. It is free to participate, and it is a valuable service for our clients,” said Suzanne Stegeman, executive director of the KCCFP.
“We are offering this service to senior residents who live within a 10-mile radius of the Food Pantry, at 208 Beaver Street in Yorkville,” she said. Seniors are required to register as clients of the Food Pantry. Volunteers there will check the address to determine if the seniors qualify.
“The Door-Dash food packages will be carefully arranged by Pantry volunteers to serve a one- or two-person household with a senior appetite in mind. For example,” Stegeman continued, “foil pouches or cans of meat, just six eggs rather than a dozen, cans of soup, fruit, and vegetables, individually wrapped meat, a small selection of fresh vegetables, and a half gallon or quart of milk. Once the seniors register in the Door-Dash program, they will receive a food delivery on the first and third Thursdays of the month,” she said.
Interested participants should note that the Pantry will go by the standard senior definition of anyone over 65 years of age, but Stegeman commented that as with all things, exceptions can be made. “For example, if there is someone under 65 with a reason that they can’t leave their home to pick up their food, such as a disability, we would consider them as possibly acceptable clients for this program,” she said with emphasis.
“Our first distribution, October 6, went great! The seniors seemed pleased with the process and food, and new applications came in through word of mouth,” Stegeman said, adding, “I really think it is a terrific program for our senior community.”
For more information and to sign up for the program, call the Pantry at 630-533-0473. The Pantry has posted this information on Facebook @kccfood pantry and on their website at www.kccfoodpantry.org. Seniors can send E-mail the pantry atinfo@kccfp.orgor if they will visit the Pantry, Stegeman said they can sign up in person Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and noon.
Door Dash is just one of services offered through this Food Pantry. “Since June 2022 we have offered both in person and drive thru shopping,” Stegeman said. “We serve about 250 households during each distribution, and about 50% continue to drive thru because it is quick and convenient. The other 50% shop inside and select their own food,” she added.
The Pantry has other programs including emergency distributions for families in crises, a large clothing closet, a Winter coat drive that is organized with the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and more options. The Pantry is open for regular food distribution weekly on Thursdays from noon to 5:30 p.m. for indoor shopping, and noon to 6 p.m. for drive through clients.
Barb Nadeau is the community relations manager for the Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois, representing five counties. Barb’s career includes many years as a professional television and radio host, as well as a print and social media journalist, and as a volunteer coordination professional, networking amongst non-profit social service agencies throughout Illinois. She is a freelance writer and an elected alderman in the City of Plano government. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com