Community offered great
support for food drive

A few weeks ago, community spirit shone brightly as many came together to hold a communitywide food drive in Carol Stream.

Our Rotary Club, in a June planning meeting, mapped out plans to help replenish food pantries. We had raised funds from our annual Chili Open Golf Outing and donated $2,500 each to food pantries in Bloomingdale, Wayne and Milton townships as well as DuPage Senior Citizens. So we decided any food collected would be passed on to three pantries in town: Interfaith, Feeding NW DuPage and Humanitarian Service Project.

We had a small turnout for two community meetings, where residents and friends signed up to cover streets in their neighborhoods — to tie bags with informational fliers on doorknobs. These bags would hold their donations and be put at the curb for pickup on Saturday. We had just a few helpers to copy fliers, count bags and staple the two together.

When it came down to the actual drive, 29 neighborhood “partners” jumped into action. Fliers were delivered, despite high winds and rain. And on Saturday morning, as the temps warmed up from the overnight 20 degrees, they took a ride down their streets to see if anyone had put bags of food out.

Many people volunteer daily across the U.S. in so many different ways. Some are more exciting than others. I can tell you from experience, driving down your street to see bags with brightly colored fliers on them, loaded with food, is one of the most exhilarating sights to see. I ran a food drive for 11 years that we based this one on, and that was my very favorite part. Our “partners” told us their kids were so excited to spot the bags.

How much was collected? Much more than we ever thought! There was too much to count or weigh. It’s a good problem to have. But we hope that by next year’s event, we will discover a way of measuring the success.

It was truly an outpouring of generosity from our community. Members of the Rotary Club and their friends and family were at the Library Barn property to greet the donors, 34 in all.

Some 50 cars drove in to drop off items, besides the 29 partners. Schools had set up donation boxes, and those were dropped off by a local business who runs a delivery service. Several other businesses had special offers for those who donated food and had e-mailed customers to tell them ahead of time.

Local seniors stapled and counted bags. Retail stores donated precious plastic bags that held peanut butter, chili, diapers and more. Scout troops were involved as well as schools, churches and clubs.

The day may have been cold, but the warm spirit of community and generosity was alive and well in Carol Stream. On behalf of the Rotary Club, I thank all who participated in any way.

This could not have been accomplished by a small group or club — it took a village. And the village of caring people came through!

Luanne Triolo, president, Rotary Club of Carol Stream