Representative Manley Visits 4 KIDS Sake Food Pantry After Theft, Encourages Support

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. – After a devastating theft of catalytic converters crippled a Bolingbrook food pantry’s ability to deliver food to 700 families weekly, State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, visited the pantry to raise awareness of the vital need for funds.

The nonprofit 4 KIDS Sake Food Pantry, 300 Remington Blvd., Bolingbrook, relies heavily on two trucks for daily pickups of fresh produce, dairy, and meat from local stores like Marianos, Costco, Jewel, and Shop and Save. Last week, catalytic converters were stolen from both trucks, creating immense logistical challenges, forcing the pantry to turn away many food donations.

The estimated cost of repairs for the two trucks is nearly $20,000, with each catalytic converter replacement costing around $6,000. One of the trucks was a one-year-old vehicle acquired through a grant.

As a stop-gap measure, the pantry rents one box truck with a lift gate at an exorbitant cost of $400 per day. With their insurance only covering $100 per day for rentals, 4 KIDS Sake is facing a daily shortfall of $300. Additionally, federal defunding of the Northern Illinois Food Bank has both reduced supply and made pickup locations further away, making the trucks a vital need to feed these families each week.

"The theft of catalytic converters from 4 KIDS Sake's trucks is a devastating blow to our community," said Representative Manley. "This pantry is a lifeline for so many, and to see their vital operations disrupted by such a callous act is truly disheartening. There is a need for food pantries to serve people regardless of their status and regardless of their lives, and 4 KIDS Sake exemplifies this commitment."

4 KIDS Sake has a website where more information is available about helping cover costs of repairs. The public can visit https://www.4-kidssake.org

4 KIDS Sake has been a pillar of the community since opening its Food Pantry and Enrichment Center in October 2019. Originally serving around 80 families weekly, the pantry's operations significantly expanded during the COVID-19 lockdowns, becoming one of the few food pantries to remain open and serving up to 1,200 families weekly. From March to December 2020, they distributed over 1.5 million pounds of food to more than 100,000 individuals. The pantry welcomes neighbors from all communities regardless of where they live.

"4 KIDS Sake is a testament to the power of community and compassion," Representative Manley added. "They are providing essential services to our most vulnerable neighbors. We must ensure they can continue their vital work. Every bit of support makes a difference."

Pictured: Terese Grzenia and Representative Manley at the 4 KIDS Sake Food Pantry, Bolingbrook

Pictured: Representative Manley with 4 KIDS Sake staff and volunteers at their food pantry, Bolingbrook