Helping to stock the shelves


JANE CHARMELO PHOTO

State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-48), held a food drive Wednesday, June 17, outside the First Church of Lombard/UCC, in conjunction with a Village of Lombard summer blood drive, held in Hatfield Hall. Donations were going to the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church, across the street. Pictured with Costa Howard (left) is Colette Luchetta-Stendel, who donated blood and food. “She’s a double donor today,” quipped Costa Howard. Hester Bury, chair of the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry board, said, “I estimated 200 pounds and it was all the things we need most—pasta, pasta sauce, canned vegetables, peanut butter, mac and cheese, which is wonderful.” She said the First Church drive also collected $113 in donations. “The food pantry is so grateful for this support from the community. In May we averaged almost 200 families each week,” Bury added. The pantry is open for anyone in need of food Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-11:45 a.m. and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m., as well as the third Saturday each month from 9-11:45 a.m. Food or financial donations are welcome, and $1 can buy as much as $8 worth of food. Email [email protected] for information. A morning food drive yielded between 75 and 100 pounds of food to benefit the York Township Food Pantry.