West Suburban Community Pantry Serves 110,000 In 2023

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The West Suburban Community Pantry has announced it had a record year in 2023, serving 110,000 people in fiscal year 2023, according to a release from the nonprofit.

The pantry said two-thirds of those people came from DuPage County, and one-third from Will County. Customers were over 50 percent adults, over 30 percent children and just under 20 percent seniors.

The organization has expanded its food rescue partnerships, which in 2023, provided 780,000 pounds of fresh food and supplies that augment food purchased from Northern Illinois Food Bank, according to a release. In addition to area grocers, rescue partners include produce distributors Sunterra Chicago and Atom Banana, local produce grower The Farm, and online value grocer Misfits Markets.

Over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce was also grown by local garden clubs and churches this summer.

“We let people choose what is best for their family—how much they need to feed their family for the week—offering foods they love and want,” Pantry CEO Suzanne Armato said in a release. “We’ve had to alter the way we source food significantly this year, but we are resolute – by leading with compassion and care, we put our neighbor's needs first.”

Since the pantry serves a population that speaks 17 different languages, it also uses the services of the Language Access Resource Center to translate informational literature into several languages. The pantry said it has also introduced Instant Language Assistant, which is a device that lets people communicate with others in different languages either verbally or by keying in words or phrases.

The pantry hopes to purchase additional ILA devices in the coming year, according to the release. Pantry shelves are labeled in several languages, and WSCP is pursuing offering ESL classes in cooperation with the College of DuPage.

The pantry also offers some support services. The program offers short-term case management, mental health support, and various wellness programs supported by community partners, including nutrition education and wellness through the University of Illinois Extension.

“People may come to us because they are struggling to afford groceries, but often that’s just one symptom of whatever crisis they are experiencing,” Armato said in a release. “Our Support Services allow us to help our community in a holistic way.”