THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
Township Food Pantry Supply In Need of Boost
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
As food and fuel costs continue their rapid rise, there is a need to fill the gap.
Helping to do that in Leyden Township is the Leyden Family Services (LFS) Food Pantry.
A not for profit organization, LFS works with the Leyden Township General Assistance Dept., though they are not a part of official township government.
Jason Cussen, who runs the food pantry, said demand is up.
The food pantry has a steady flow of 30 to 35 "customers" each week that come in for food donations. This is up from 20 to 25 a week last year.
To use the pantry, residents must prove they are Leyden residents.
Cussen said the food pantry still has a small surplus of canned goods and other non-perishable foods from donations from the Christmas season.
He said that surplus is now running low and he will need to go to the grocery store to buy food soon if more donations do not come in.
The Leyden High School Art Club is hosting its Empty Bowls event to benefit the pantry on Thursday, May 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the West Campus (see page 2A). Last year's event raised $1,000 for the pantry.
Additionally, Cornerstone Outreach Ministries of Elk Grove Village made a donation to the pantry.
Cussen credited Panera Bread and Starbucks as regular donors of pastries to the pantry and said the law firm of Barrett Peterson gives the food pantry extra storage space in their basement for nonperishable foods.
The food pantry is located at 10200 W. Grand Ave. in Franklin Park behind the main Leyden Family Services building.
Cussen said LFS also provides mental healthcare, crisis counseling, a drop in center and works with those who are trying to re-acclimate them selves to the community.
Cussen is a phycorehabilitation therapist for LFS, some of the patients in recovery work at the food pantry.
Programs to assist residents vary from township to township.
Leyden Township Director of General Assistance Terry Geraci said Leyden provides a flat $200 monthly grant to those who meet strict qualifications for need. Geraci said the grants are paid directly to land lords or to pay utility bills rather than given to individuals to ensure the money is not spent for alcohol or drugs.
The township offers additional assistance programs to senior citizens.