Over 38,000 Pounds Of Food Donated By Westmont Neighbors

WESTMONT, IL — A group of Westmont neighbors recently donated over 38,000 pounds of food to West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) after one woman brainstormed on how to help those in need of food. Katie Free joined forces with her husband, Kyle, to kick off the initiative, which yielded some 7,000 bags of food, per a news release from WSCP.

Free said she and other volunteers distributed thousands of grocery bags flyers throughout the area urging neighbors to stuff the bags with groceries.

“People didn’t just leave us the filled bags; they put out totes and boxes of food. It was unbelievable,” Free told WSCP.

She continued, “Our friends were completely energized. People called wanting to bring a friend or their whole family to help. People are willing to help in tough times, they just needed a facilitator to help make it happen. I have logistical experience working for a caterer, so I knew how to run this kind of operation. It turned out to be a joyful, fun experience for all of us.”

WSCP Pantry CEO Maeven Sipes said in a statement, ”We are SO grateful to Katie, her family and friends for organizing one of the most impactful community food drives ever. This collective generosity and hard work will help feed thousands of neighbors, and we are truly grateful for their dedication to our mission.”