Private: News & Events

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

At HCS Family Services, our top priority is feeding hungry people. Unfortunately, this week, we were unable to distribute groceries to our neighbors in need after two of our staff members reported not feeling well late last week. Out of an abundance of caution, we canceled our Monday, March 23 and our Wednesday, March 25 distributions, so we could confirm there was no risk to our clients and volunteers.

While we thought the food pantry would need to be closed until April 1, with the assistance of our board of directors and volunteers, we’ve developed a pantry operation plan that will allow the food pantry to resume its curbside, drive-through distributions this Friday, March 28 at our Hinsdale location from 3:30 – 6 p.m.

This plan limits staff and volunteer interaction to safeguard the health and safety of all our community, while still serving our neighbors in need.

Food distributions will take place:

In Hinsdale (19 E Chicago Ave.):
Mondays from Noon – 2 p.m.
Fridays from 3:30 – 6 p.m.

In Willowbrook (Anne M. Jeans Elementary School):
Wednesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

We express our sincere appreciation to all who have donated in the last few weeks to help us feed families, seniors and other individuals at risk of hunger. We have requested additional food deliveries from Northern Illinois Food Bank and are diligently working with our entire food supply chain to secure food during this difficult time.

Our commitment to provide nutritious food to all who need it in our community is as strong as ever. Thank you for your support.

By Sandy Illian Bosch
Originally Published at https://www.thehinsdalean.com/story/2020/01/09/60-seconds/eagle-project-continues-teens-fight-against-local-hunger/910.html

Becoming an Eagle Scout was never really part of Jack Otten’s plan.

“I never gave it much thought,” Otten said. “I was just enjoying being a Scout.”

But as he approached his final year of high school, the Hinsdale Central High School senior said earning Boy Scouting’s highest rank suddenly seemed like a natural progression to his decade-long scouting career. So he set out in search of a project – a final step in every scout’s journey toward the Eagle rank.

Otten said he knew almost immediately that his project would benefit the HCS Family Services food pantry and the people it serves. A longtime volunteer at the pantry and a member of the HCS Junior Board, Otten wanted his project to help alleviate some of the food insecurity that exists in DuPage County. He also wanted it to draw attention to the fact that food insecurity exists in and around Hinsdale – something he said many people still don’t realize.

…

By Ken Knutson
Full article published at: https://www.thehinsdalean.com/story/2020/01/02/news/nonprofits-reach-out-to-close-decade/876.html

Village-based service organizations find new ways to serve the broader community in 2019

Stan Cook, executive director of HCS Family Services, said attendance at the agency’s two food pantries increased 40 percent over the last six months of 2019. Clients represented about 1,000 families from 24 local communities.

“We’re working hard to keep up with the demand,” Cook said. “I’m proud that we were able to distribute 600,000 pounds of food to people in need and thankful that we were able to get 400,000 pounds from local grocery stores.”

That effort to rescue food from supermarkets now includes 12 stores, with Aldi, Brookhaven, Costco and Pete’s Fresh Market added to the network this past year. New refrigerators, freezers and produce shelving were installed at the pantries to boost storage capacity and furnish space for more healthy and nutritious items.

Cook also was pleased that 200 local families received turkey meals for Thanksgiving and that 950 clients received holiday gifts, thanks in large part to partnerships with community churches and schools.

…