Deprived. Hungry. Scared.
There are thousands of families that aren’t as fortunate as others. Millions of people have lost their jobs because of the economy, leaving families struggling to pay bills, buy clothes and even buy food. The mission of the Sugar Grove Food Pantry’s food drive, Fill Your Door Step, is to help these families.
Fill Your Door Step is an easy way of donating food for the pantry. Volunteers from the Sugar Grove Food Pantry go to Sugar Grove subdivisions and pick up food from the doorsteps of those who chose to donate.
The dates of the drive are Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13; three Saturdays in a row.
The drive starts at Kaneland parent and Food Pantry director Melisa Taylor’s house early in the morning and ends when it gets dark. People can donate food, household items, outerwear and pet supplies. The items go to the pantry and are passed out to people who need it. Every house that donates is put in a raffle. At the end of the drive, a winner is selected and is receives a prize.
Last year, there were 14 vehicle loads of donations from this drive. Fill Your Door Step started about two years ago.
“My sister and I started it with my mom,” senior Danielle Taylor said.
The family was home on Thanksgiving break, wanted to do something and came up with this food drive.
The food drive’s goal at first was to “keep the kids busy,” Melisa Taylor said, but once it got bigger, its goal expanded. Their main goal now is to simply help people.
“Every one of us are going to fall, and we need to put our hands out to help pick each other up,” Melisa Taylor said.
A lot of teens come and help out, Melisa Taylor said. If students volunteer, the time can go towards volunteer hours.
“I do enjoy volunteering, because it helps other people out,” Jordan Thelander, freshman and Sugar Grove Food Pantry volunteer said. “I feel I have accomplished something.”