HCS Family Services

Empowering Families. Changing Lives.

HCS Family Services

Monthly Update: August

Greetings friends,

What a wonderful welcome I have received in my first two months as the new leader of HCS Family Services, and many thanks to each and every person who has taken the time to reach out. I feel very fortunate to have joined this organization on the heels of former-board-member-turned-Executive Director, Stan Cook, and want to thank him again for his tremendous leadership to further elevate this critical organization at a time when vital food support is so desperately needed.

I have spent much time during my initial months on the “front-lines” of our operations, working hard to understand the stories of our pantry guests and to ensure service-delivery excellence while keeping everyone safe. During one food distribution, I had a chance to speak with an elderly man who had “hitched” a ride, as he said, to the pantry with a friend from his retirement community. He appreciated the food because he “was often stretched thin at the end of the month due to the five medical bill plans he is on.”

While he and his friend provided their gratitude for drive-through services in light of COVID-19, they also shared their hope for the eventual return to in-person shopping so they could again be part of the pantry community. They told me of their appreciation for the human connection of our interaction (I also felt the same gratitude), and they eventually commented with joy that they would be bringing me flowers to next week’s distribution in thanks for stopping by their car. I politely declined, but this selfless offer caused me to pause in reflection for how, regardless of our situations, we are all in this same boat right now – wanting to bring joy to others, needing to feel a connection.

Our work at HCS Family Services is only possible because of connection. The connection between our volunteers and supporters and the care demonstrated for our neighbors-in-need. The connection between our Board of Directors and our mission – in partnering with me to achieve a vision for the future amidst these uncertain times. A vision, by definition, is a shared belief about the future we are trying to create. If you were me, what is the vision you would work to create for the people served by HCS Family Services? I would like to hear from you and encourage you to send me a personal note or share your feedback in this survey.

It’s with a heart of gratitude that I, again, offer my sincere thanks to every single person who has taken the time to reach out with words of welcome, to cheer me on with words of support, to make a gift to support our cause. And, with admiration, I also am so in awe of the many college students, board members, high school students, National Charity League members, Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club members, Junior Board members, and concerned Hinsdale and surrounding community members who have rolled up their sleeves, firmly situated their masks, and armed themselves with hand sanitizer to serve approximately 20,000 grateful hearts and bellies since the onset of this worldwide pandemic.

You guys are the heroes of these unchartered waters and I offer my heartfelt thanks.

With gratitude,

Amy Wickstrom-signature

Amy Wickstrom
Executive Director

School Partnership Helps Meet Increased Need

An HCS Family Services volunteer at Ann M Jeans Elementary School

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, HCS Family Services is serving 78 percent more people. To help us meet this increasing demand for food assistance, officials at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School in Willowbrook have generously donated the use of their entire gymnasium – the size of two full basketball courts – for our food pack-out preparation.

This expanded space will allow us to welcome larger groups of volunteers, speeding the packing of food bags for our weekly distributions, while maintaining safe social distancing guidelines.   

Read more about these efforts in this May 7, 2020 The Hinsdalean article by Pam Lammon, “HCS has new digs for packing groceries“.

  • HCS volunteers at Ann M Jeans Elementary School
  • HCS Family Services Volunteer at Ann M Jeans School gymnasium
  • An HCS Family Services volunteer at Ann M Jeans Elementary School
  • Overview of volunteer set-up for food bag packing at Ann M Jeans Elementary School
  • HCS Family Services volunteers pack food at Ann M Jeans Elementary School
  • Overview of volunteer set-up for food bag packing at Ann M Jeans Elementary School
  • Overview of volunteer set-up for food bag packing at Ann M Jeans Elementary School

Meeting the Increasing Need with Curbside Service

Lines of cars wrapped around the block the past few weeks as more people than ever have sought out food assistance from HCS Family Services. In fact, we are serving 78 percent more people than we were two months ago.   Our new curbside distribution allows us to safely and efficiently provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Video courtesy of former HCS Family Services Junior Board President George Bull of GB Aerial Photography.

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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We Need Your Help Feeding Our Hungry Neighbors During the Coronavirus Outbreak

HCS Family Services stuffing bags to assist families in need.

Dear Friends,

Over the last few days, many of our supporters have reached out to ask how they can help us feed our hungry neighbors during these very uncertain times. 

I wanted to update you on our response to and needs because of Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus):

Distribution Changes Implemented

We have overhauled our entire food distribution system to feed our pantry guests in the safest way possible. As of Thursday, March 12, we have temporarily suspended our “choice” grocery shopping model. To minimize group congregation and person-to-person contact, clients can receive pre-packed bags of milk, eggs, produce and non-perishables at drive-thru stations at both of our pantries during regular hours.

Need is growing

At this time of great need, we are here to serve the most vulnerable in our community. Our hungry neighbors need us more than ever.

As the coronavirus spreads, demand for food assistance is growing.  As schools close, children who received school meal programs need to be fed. Working clients whose work hours have been reduced need supplemental assistance. Food cost savings can be used to cover increased medical costs for those who fall ill.

As demand for our services increases, food donation volume is dropping. Retail food donations account for over 70% of our food supply. As retailers struggle to keep food on their shelves during the virus outbreak, they have less and less stock to donate to our food pantry. It will be challenging for us to provide all the food that our community demands at this time.

We need your help

At this time of great need, cash donations will have the greatest impact. HCS Family Services will use these funds to purchase the healthy food we need to keep our pantry well-stocked, and provide our hungry neighbors with the nutrition they need, especially now.

Please consider giving what you can today. We appreciate your support during these uncertain times.

We thank all the generous community members who have already supported our hunger relief cause during these trying times.

With gratitude,

Stan Cook
Executive Director
HCS Family Services