Madison County employees and elected officials collected 2.5 tons of donated items for local food pantries this holiday season.
Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said the items included canned goods and non-perishable foods.
He said that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual door-to-door Scouting for Food collection event could not take place this year. Tina Barnard, a board member with the Glen-Ed Food Pantry, contacted the county and asked if they would be interested in holding a food drive.
“We didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Prenzler stated in a press release. “Employees did an outstanding job.”
Prenzler and County Board member Erica Conway-Harriss of Glen Carbon delivered the items to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry on Dec. 17 with help from the Facilities Department employees.
"This has been a challenging year for so many people in our community, and I am thrilled that county employees rallied together to help meet these needs," Harriss said.
Glen-Ed Food Pantry Director of Development Jane Ahasay said she appreciated the donations, especially because they have seen an increase in the number of people who are in need of assistance.
“We are seeing an average of 10 new families a month,” Ahasay stated. “We’re seeing multi-generational households, where someone lost his or her job or housing and now has moved in with their parents or another relative.”
Interim Facilities Director Chris Milton said the employees in his department were more than happy to help with the deliveries. He added that on Dec. 18, employees raised another $263 in donations, including a $100 donation from Community Care Center Board President Kenneth Newton, to go to the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry in Collinsville. The donations will be used to purchase groceries, diapers and personal hygiene items.
“We are blessed that no county employees were laid-off during this time,” Milton said. “We are fortunate to give back during a time when so many families are struggling.”
County Board member Robert Pollard of East Alton helped deliver items at Operation Blessing in Wood River and gave a monetary donation.
“It’s the least I could do,” Pollard stated. “There are so many struggling out there right now and it’s important to give back to the community.”
Operation Blessing Director Karen Wilson said she is thankful for the donation and for everything the community does.
County Board members Bill Meyer of Hamel, Liz Dalton of Collinsville, Denise Wiehardt of Granite City and Chris Hankins of Pontoon Beach also delivered items from the food pantries across the county.