Volunteers

School Partnership Helps Meet Increased Need

May 7, 2020

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“.

Meeting the Increasing Need with Curbside Service

May 6, 2020

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

April 20, 2020

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,