Vernon Township Honors Longtime Food Pantry Volunteer

Vernon Township will be honoring the dedication and contributions of Trudy Komos, a Food Pantry volunteer for the past 20 years, at its upcoming board meeting – and all Township residents are invited to attend! A Lincolnshire resident and beloved community member who is moving out of state, Trudy has made a lasting impact through her kindness, passion and unwavering commitment to helping others. The meeting will take place on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Vernon Township office, located at 3050 N. Main Street in Buffalo Grove. Guests are welcome to stop before the meeting begins to enjoy cake and refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

Trudy’s journey with the Food Pantry began shortly after her retirement, when she found herself searching for a renewed sense of purpose. With an extensive background in the grocery industry, she quickly became an integral part of the Pantry's early days – transforming a small broom closet into a thriving resource that continues to serve countless families in need. Under her leadership, the pantry has since expanded into four rooms with more than 15 volunteers, providing vital support to the community.

Township Supervisor Tim Kobler expressed his deep gratitude for Trudy’s dedication, “Trudy’s passion and leadership have touched the lives of so many families in our community. Her legacy will live on through the incredible work she has done and the volunteers she has inspired. We will miss her dearly and wish her all the best in the future.”

Through the generosity of donors, the Food Pantry provides vital assistance, distributing an average of 4,500 pounds of food each month. Contributions from the community have a powerful impact: every $1 donated can go toward the purchase of $8 - $10 worth of food through a partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Donations ensure local families have access to nourishing meals, which can be particularly difficult for those facing financial challenges.

“Since that first meeting, the Food Pantry became my baby; I have cared for and nourished it, and helped it grow into something I am very proud of,” Komos said. “The good that the Pantry has done for the community is immeasurable. Now the time has come for me to leave it in the good hands of the extremely capable volunteers whom I've been fortunate to mentor and train.”

The Vernon Township Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a community project supported by donations from local businesses, organizations and residents. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide nourishing meals and household essentials to families in need. For more information on how you can help support the Vernon Township Food Pantry, please visit https://www.vernontownship.com/157/Food-Pantry.