Glenview Pantry Receiving Funds Via State's 'Missing Money' Program

GLENVIEW, IL — This December, local food pantries, including one in Glenview, are set to receive funds through the state's "Missing Money" program. In all, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is returning $100,000 in missing money to food pantries throughout the state.

The Northfield Township Food Pantry will receive $501 through the program. Since 1850, Northfield Township has been serving residents in Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield with essential services including general and emergency assistance, property tax help, a road district, and the operation of one of the busiest food pantries in the area.

Earlier this year, Patch reported about a campaign to raise $1.5 million to held fund the building of a new, state-of-the-art facility for the food pantry at 2550 Waukegan Road in Glenview. The larger, more accessible pantry will be located upstairs from the current location. The goal was reached, and soon, the new space will be unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This milestone [175 years] isn’t just about the past — it's about the future we're building together," said Shiva Mohsenzadeh, Northfield Township supervisor and food pantry board president. "The new food pantry space represents our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community with compassion, dignity, and respect. We're excited to welcome residents, partners, and friends to celebrate with us."

RELATED: Northfield Township Marks 175 Years, Unveils New Food Pantry

Each December, Frerichs' office focuses on returning money through the ICash program to nonprofit groups that help people in need. The gesture is especially important this year following the recent federal government shutdown, which stopped food assistance to many Illinois families in last month.

"Food pantries always step up to feed people in need," Frerichs said. "It's been a challenging year with federal cutbacks to food banks earlier in the year. The Trump administration opting to cut off food assistance to our state’s neediest folks last month was a double whammy. We wanted to see if we could help, when our local food pantries put meals on the table for millions of Illinoisans."

The unclaimed property program is one of the state's oldest consumer protection initiatives, according to the treasurer's office. In Illinois, the state treasurer is tasked with safeguarding unclaimed property, such as the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards.

Illinois holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property. More than $2.4 billion has been returned since Frerichs took office, the most in state history, according to his department.

Residents wondering if they have unclaimed property can check the online database at icash.illinoistreasurer.gov. The state treasurer is legally required to return unclaimed property to its owners or heirs, no matter how long it takes.