DuPage Twp. helps put meals on Thanksgiving tables

All hands were on deck at DuPage Township during Thanksgiving week when several holiday meal giveaways happened.

“We are grateful for all the help, it was a hectic week,” said DuPage Township Supervisor Gary Marschke.

The week began Saturday, Nov. 23 when volunteers from American Legion Post 52, Westlake Pipe and Fittings, both in Romeoville, the Romeoville Fire Department, the DuPage Township Democrats and members of the area Hall family converged at the DuPage Township Food Pantry, 719 Parkwood Ave, Romeoville.

They came together bright and early to help distribute Thanksgiving meals to DuPage Township families. The ticketed, drive-thru event was prepared to provide 500 meals.

The well-oiled machine had each group of volunteers manning a tent, each tent held the exact same items. Drivers were directed line up in the back parking lot, five cars moved forward at a time, one for each tent. The volunteers then loaded the vehicles.

Each vehicle that came through received a whole frozen turkey, a box of dry goods for a Thanksgiving meal such as stuffing, instant potatoes, canned vegetables. Each car also received a bag of potatoes, other fresh produce, a large box of other pantry items such as soup and spices, a large pumpkin pie and assorted baked goods. It was indeed a trunkful.

The model of efficiency served over 200 cars in 75 minutes.

On Tuesday, Nov. 26 DuPage Township trustees and staff, members of the Bolingbrook Fire Department and the Bolingbrook Rotary Club turned out in force to distribute meals to seniors at Greenleaf Apartments, 503 Kildeer Drive, Bolingbrook. Over 300 residents received a Thanksgiving meal that included two frozen cooked turkey breasts, a box of meal staples and a pumpkin pie. Staff also distributed meals to McKenzie Falls, 265 Lakeshore Drive, Bolingbrook and Romeoville Gardens, 711 Lily Lane, Romeoville.

DuPage Township provided over 1000 meals to township residents.

“The Thanksgiving meal giveaways are something everyone at the Township anticipates,” said Marschke.