One of DuPage County’s largest food pantries has received a grant that will allow it to provide food to even more people as the holiday season approaches.
The People’s Resource Center, which has locations in Westmont and Wheaton, announced that it has been recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for its success in improving the well being of the community and has been awarded a $10,000 grant for its food pantry.
The grant will be used to help support the food pantry services, which is the largest in DuPage County, said Susan Manning, a spokesperson for the resource center.
Clarita Santos, director of community health initiatives for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, said the aim is to promote the health and wellness of the communities by supporting organizations such as the PRC
“We are proud to support the People’s Resource Center,” Santos said. “By supporting organizations like People’s Resource Center, we are able to reach out to the people most in need.”
The People’s Resource Center began 34 years ago when a group of families reached out to their neighbors in need by creating a community food pantry. Today, PRC strives to end poverty through wrap-around services including food distribution, a clothes closet, social services and emergency assistance.
Hank Anzelone, site coordinator at the PRC’s southeast office at 649 Blackhawk Drive, said the Westmont pantry currently serves food to about 550 families in a number of different communities.
He expects that number will rise to 700 by the end of November.
“In July 2008, we had about 280 families, so the need has really increased since that time,” Anzelone said.
Although the need has gone up, so have the donations.
“Even with the demand increase. We have been able to meet them,” Anzelone said. “In fact, we are able to provide more food to each family then we could when we first started. That says a lot for the community.
The Westmont site also provides other outreach services, such as job and housing placement, computer training skills, literacy and English language classes, he said.
People’s Resource Center is one of 240 organizations to receive a grant or donation in 2009 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which focuses its giving in three key areas: Health services for the uninsured and underserved, human services and education, according to the PRC.
