Over the course of three days, we wrapped up my first annual Moms & Meals drive by delivering food, toiletries, and household essentials to eight food pantries across the district. Thanks to the generosity of residents, community partners, and volunteers, more than 2,000 items were collected — filling five carloads.
As someone raised by a single mother, I know how much a little support can mean during the holidays. Seeing our community come together to make sure shelves are stocked, and families feel seen, reminds us of what this season is really about which is lifting each other up.
The drive benefits families facing food insecurity during the holiday season, when pantry shelves are often stretched thin. We personally delivered donations to:
- The Hope Collective/ Hope Center
- Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry
- Palatine Township
- St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Center
- Barrington Township
- Fremont Township
- Cuba Township
- Ela Area Public Library
I want to thank every community partner and neighbor who donated, volunteered, or spread the word, saying this first-year effort proved what can be accomplished when neighbors join together for a cause.
