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HCS Family Services

Empowering Families. Changing Lives.

Food and Fund Drives

Appreciating Our Volunteers

HCS Volunteer packs potatoes

Dear Friends,

Like no other time in HCS Family Services’ 83-year history, this past month has reminded us just how valuable our volunteers are. As we’ve had to limit the number of volunteers at the pantry and change our operation methods from a client-choice shopping experience to drive-through food distributions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are missing the smiles, passion and camaraderie of the nearly 100 community members who, in normal times make our operation work so effectively each week.

With only two part-time and three full-time staff members, our organization is dependent upon our volunteers to provide nutritious food to the 1,000 families who relied on us last year – a number than is rapidly growing as a result of the current health crisis. Our volunteers are like family to us, and it is truly difficult for us not to be together.

We extend our gratitude to those volunteers who have had to stay home as we cut back on the number of people lending a hand to maximize the safety of our volunteers, staff and guests. We know it is hard for you not to be involved and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

We also express our deep thanks to those who have selflessly put themselves in the front lines of distribution – heeding every precaution by wearing masks, disinfecting and social distancing – to safely ensure our neighbors at risk of hunger have access to the nutritious food they need.

And while we won’t be able to tell you in person how much your selfless donations of time and talent mean to us, we want to take this opportunity during Volunteer Appreciation Month to send a hearty thank you to each and every one of you. Whether you brighten our guests’ days with your smiles and helpful assistance during shopping hours; drive our Food Rescue van to pick up donations from retailers; help us unload, sort and shelf donations; plan events to bring awareness and funding to our mission; or support our efforts, you exemplify the spirit that makes our community special.

We appreciate you, and look forward to when we can celebrate together.

Sincerely,

Nancy Nyheim signature

Nancy Nyheim
Volunteer Coordinator

  • HCS Van Driver unpacks HCS Van
  • HCS Volunteer prepares food
  • HCS Volunteer packs potatoes
  • HCS Volunteer stocks HCS refrigerator

Need, Gratitude and Hope during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Friends,

Last week, long lines of cars extended several blocks as neighbors in need arrived to receive free milk, eggs, produce, meat, bread and non-perishable foods at one of our drive-through distributions in Hinsdale and Willowbrook. We welcomed former guests as well as new families at risk of hunger for the first time as they face unemployment, school closings and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We’re grateful for the staff and volunteers who are working so hard to share food at this time of great need.

We are grateful to all those who have provided generous financial support. These gifts are having immediate impact. As demand for our services grows, we’re working with Northern Illinois Food Bank and other suppliers to purchase incremental food for our two food pantries. Last week, we received 8,000 pounds of extra food that is being quickly shared with our neighbors in need. 

Your donations sustain our work during this period of great need. Your gift to HCS Family Services will be stretched to provide nutritious dairy, eggs, produce, protein and more – the foods that are most needed to promote health for those at risk in our community. Now more than ever, your gift is providing hope to our neighbors.

We sincerely thank you for your support during this trying time.

With gratitude,

Stan Cook - Signature

Stan Cook
Executive Director

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Help Us Put Food on the Table of a Hungry Neighbor

HCS Family Services provides a turkey to a guest

In this season of giving, HCS Family Services invites you to help us put food on the table of a hungry neighbor.

You can make a difference for those who struggle with hunger in our community. With your support, a parent can put a healthy meal on their family’s table. A student can focus on learning rather than their hunger at school. A senior citizen won’t have to choose between eating and paying medical bills. 

To the surprise of many, hunger is an acute issue in our own backyard. Our county has the 2nd largest hungry population in Illinois. One in six northern Illinois children face hunger. Senior hunger is growing quickly.

Do you agree that everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious foods? Help us get food to those who need it most by making a tax-deductible donation.

Our pantry attendance has grown over 40% in the last six months, so we need your support now more than ever.  Your donation will support the 1,000 families from 24 local communities who use our food pantries in Hinsdale and the Anne M. Jeans Elementary School in Willowbrook.

HCS Family Services was founded in 1937 by community leaders to provide the basic necessities of life to those who needed it most. Today, we ask you to support our founders’ vision with a donation to our local hunger relief work. 

Together, we can do mighty things in our community. With your gift, you’ll join our many community organizations, grocery food rescue partners and 400 volunteers who work so hard to end local hunger and strengthen our community.

How do you coordinate a fundraiser?

By Ken Knutson

Joining the HCS Family Services Junior Board two years ago was a chance to meet people for teen Peter Hughes, having recently returned to Hinsdale.

Now a Hinsdale Central senior, his main objective is helping residents of DuPage County meet their basic needs as chairperson of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit April 11 at Vistro (see Page 20 for details). The second annual event, in which a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds as well as other charitable gifts will support HCS’s two local food pantries, was actually cooked up by Hughes when he was the board’s liaison.

“I had to communicate ideas we had at the board with other people {in the community) at schools and businesses,” said Hughes, who has ascended to co-president of the board this year.

A personal connection with Paul Virant, chef-owner of Vistro and a Hinsdale resident, inspired the idea for the fundraiser.

“It seemed like a good opportunity, and Paul was very helpful in wanting to work \ th us,” Hughes said.

He had never taken on such a task before, however, and sluggish participation initially caused consternation. To Hughes’ relief, reservations picked up as the day approached.

“Our goal last year was $1,000 in donations,” he said. “We ended up raising over $6,000. That’s all because people were \1lling to give and be generous.”

Assistance from fellow board members and friends were vital, Hughes stressed. And he ascribed the success to presenting guests with lists itemizing specific staple groceries they were providing to needy families.

“It was a way that people could see directly where their money was going,” said Hughes, adding that the concept\ be expanded this year.

Hughes also learned the value of perseverance in enlisting resources and coordinating the logistics.

“Ideas are great, but they only have value if you put work into them,” he said. “To make some-thing a reality, you have to put a lot of work into it.

“At first it can seem kind of daunting, but as you start working on a project you begin to realize that people want you to succeed,” Hughes remarked.

He recalled the mantra from the school he attended as freshman: “Lift while you climb.” Having young people lead the lifting is especially meaningful, Hughes suggested.

“It helps those our age realize that the way we live life is very privileged and comes with a responsibility to help others,” he said.

Hughes, who will head to Holy Cross College in the fall to study environmental engineering and compete on the rowing team, is confident junior board members coming after will pick up the baton.

“I want to establish this (event) so that it’s something that will continue for the next few years, at least,” he said. “It’s good to know that what I’m doing is helping to make it easier for other people to move on with their lives. It’s good to know that we as an organization are lightening the load that a lot of these families have economically.”

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