Batavia-Area Families Struggle to Put Food on the Table

Families’ economic struggles continue, and nowhere are their woes more evident than at local food pantries.

More and more families rely on food pantries to stretch their budgets because there is little left for food after paying housing and utility bills. And as Thanksgiving nears, families’ needs and pantries’ attempts to help are more poignant.

The continues to help a growing number of people since 2006, when the economy began its freefall.

"Last month we had a record number come through: 433 families and just under 1,600 people," said Linda Dahms-Firth, the pantry's director. "We have broken records the past three months. We've had 110 new families sign up."

And so far this month, 30 new families have registered, indicating the rate of increase is continuing.

The staff does not ask any questions about income when someone comes in for food. However, those who need the pantry do need to live within the City of Batavia or Batavia Township boundaries and must be able to provide proof of residency.

"We just know that they are in need," Dahms-Firth said. "It could be that one party has lost a job or their unemployment benefits ran out."

As they did last Thanksgiving, food pantry volunteers have assembled 250 gift boxes. Each box contains: 

• A 12- to 14-pound turkey
• A bag of potatoes
• Canned vegetables
• Stuffing
• Gravy
• A cake or brownie mix 

On Saturday, 160 gift boxes were given out; the other 90 are expected to go in the next couple days on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dahms-Firth stresses that people need help all yearlong, not just at the holidays. Much in-demand items include: cleaning, paper and personal hygiene products—and soup. Soup is always needed, especially at this time of year.

The food pantry is open: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday; 1-3 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m.-noon Friday and 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.

Cash, food and volunteer help are all needed. To donate, go to the food pantry's website here.

The site also includes a list of the most-needed food and other items.

Cash donations are used to purchase food to supplement what the food pantry has in stock. The food is purchased from the (NIFB) in Geneva. The food bank is a non-profit organization that provides food to hungry people in 13 Illinois counties outside of Cook County through its more than 600 partner agencies. NIFB acquires, gathers, handles, and distributes donated, government, and purchased food to more than 60,000 different people each week.

Reality Check

“We know the need is out there and we know the need is growing," said Donna Lake, NIFB communications director.

“One pantry told me that from October 2006 to October this year, it saw a 7 percent increase,” she said. “Other pantries have told me they have 100 new families register each month. There are so many factors.

“Unemployed people’s benefits are running out, they have gone through their savings or put all their money toward their housing costs. Some of those laid off for a while have been doing what they can to keep their houses and coming to the pantries to supplement to make sure they have enough.

“They are making hard choices; seniors are seeing increased medical bills and are making choices between medicine and food. Or if you get a job, it pays less than before. They are grateful for the job, but cover the basics and don’t have money at the end of the day for food.”

Donations to NIFB can be made to northernilfoodbank.​org/.