'We're Still Here, Still In Need': Tinley Food Pantry Seeks Support

TINLEY PARK, IL — A local food pantry that has taken in additional families following the Together We Cope fire late last year is hoping the community won't forget about them when the agency reopens.

The Tinley Park Food Pantry, operating out of the basement of United Methodist Church, 6875 173rd Pl., saw its recipients jump from 20 to 25 families each week to 100, asthey welcomed those Together We Cope could not immediately accommodate after the loss of their facilities.

The pantry expanded their service boundaries to more closely resemble Together We Cope's, expanding beyond its initial area of Tinley Park and Orland Hills. They believed it would be a short-term solution, but as delays continue to push the social services agency's reopening, the food pantry's Ed Pluchar began to worry.

"We were assuming it was going to be short-term," said Pluchar, who is also a deacon at St. Julie Billiart. "Here we are, almost a year later, we’re serving close to 100 families a week now."

Pluchar estimates half of the families currently served found their way to them from Together We Cope; the other half is natural growth and increased need due to the economy, Pluchar said.

As the pantry took in more families, the Greater Chicago Food Depository provided some support, along with Together We Cope pitching in what they could, Pluchar said. Together We Cope last week announced it's now aiming for a November reopening. Without its food pantry for storage over the last year, they'll need to replenish their supplies for their larger service area, Pluchar said, and he's worried the Tinley Park pantry will get lost in the shuffle.

"We’re still here," Pluchar said. "We’re still in need.

"My fear is that all of the donations will go their direction. We’re just trying to make sure we don’t get our legs chopped out from under us."

Pluchar doesn't want to detract from all the good Together We Cope does for those it serves in its 27 communities, but knows that the Tinley pantry, too, is vital to those in need.

"We both need to find a way to survive," he said. "There are families around us that need help."

The Tinley Park Food Pantry serves 100 families once a week, Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. When Together We Cope reopens, the Tinley Park Food Pantry hopes to shift back to its original service area, with hopes to take in families from Oak Forest, as well.

They maintain a 24-hour dropbox on the West side of the church that's monitored daily, and volunteers can be contacted to arrange pickups for donations on Tuesdays, and Thursdays, as well. You can find out more about their services on their website.

Most-needed food items include:

• Boxed Cereal
• Spaghetti sauce
• Boxed Pasta
• Jello or Pudding
• ½ Gallon Juice
• Spaghetti
• Canned Meats (any)
• Cake Mixes
• Brownie Mixes
• Applesauce
• Canned tomatoes
• Coffee
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Cooking Oil
• Tea Bags
• Tomato Sauce or paste
• Any unopened non-perishable items will be accepted.

Other items also accepted:

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shaving Cream
• Bar Soap
• Dish Soap
• Toilet Paper
• Detergent
• Softener