Manley, Avelar, Cappel Collect & Deliver Food to JJC Student Pantry

JOLIET, Ill. – State Representative Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined by State Representative Dagmara (Dee) Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, are hosting an ongoing, multi-city food drive at numerous locations, delivering collected items to various pantries throughout their districts. This week, they delivered several cart-loads of items to Joliet Junior College Wolves Essentials Pantry.

“Sadly, we are in a time when families are suffering from skyrocketing costs of food, health insurance and childcare,” Rep. Manley said. “These students at JJC work hard to build better lives for themselves, and use this pantry to feed themselves, and their families.”

Currently, JJC’s pantry sees more than ten people per day, most of whom take enough food to feed their families of four for a week. Last semester, it served more than 150 individuals, nearly 540 times from August to January.

Ongoing dropoff locations include the city or village halls of Joliet, Romeoville, Crest Hill, and Plainfield, as well as the public libraries of Fountaindale, Crest Hill, Plainfield, White Oak (Lockport and Crest Hill only) and Joliet (Black Road only). Items requested include food, personal hygiene products, and baby supplies (such as food and diapers). Recipient pantries vary, depending on need.

“This is truly a community-wide effort with help from many people,” Rep. Manley said. “Thanks goes out to the cities, villages and libraries for providing so many convenient locations for people to contribute.”

From week to week, the inventory at JJC pantry goes up and down, according to JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo. Food items, personal hygiene products, toilet paper and clothing are all available at the Wolves Essentials Pantry. 

Because students’ needs and pantry inventory fluctuate from day to day, Dr. Namuo suggested that anyone who wishes to donate can contribute online on the “Give to JJC” web page at  https://jjc.edu/giving/give-jjc, and use the drop down menu to select the Wolves Essentials Pantry.

Featured: Rep. Dee Avelar and Senator Meg Cappel join Rep. Manley in hosting an ongoing food drive. They recently delivered collected items to Joliet Junior College Wolves Essentials Pantry.