Township Food Pantry Operations Different, Yet Also Very Similar

As the 2010 year winds down to a close, it seemed a good time to finish up this year's business by addressing a concerned raised by one reader though potentially held by many more: qualifying for assistance.

In New Lenox Township, requirements to receive aid from the food pantry are only to show proof of residency; beyond that, there are is no further documentation needed. 

Kathy Johnson, Family Services Manager for , put it best by pointing out, "When you're on the outside looking in, you don't know the whole story."

Although she was speaking about the situation her clients might be in, the same also seems to apply for the situation Johnson and the New Lenox Township food pantry are in.

That situation is as follows: Ms. Johnson is a full-time, salaried township employee. Her job description, by her description, is largely administering public assistance as mandated by the state of Illinois and is funded by property tax dollars. That aid is financial in nature on a general as well as emergency basis with the latter not being a mandate by the state but, nonetheless, funded by tax dollars. Qualifying for these programs comes with, as Johnson put it, "strict eligibility" requirements that involve a great deal of paperwork verifying the requestor's financial status for both income and debits.

This is where she spends a great deal of her time: paperwork.

Another part of the Family Services Manager role is providing additional resources to aid residents (township and, thereby, village residents). This is where the food pantry comes in, along with a number of other entities and programs on a referral basis. (She also distributes toys that are never asked for but always seem to flood in every year; this year totaling at least $3,000 worth – and almost half from one private individual.)

The New Lenox Township food pantry, while being physically located in a public building funded by tax dollars, operates entirely on donations – both in the form of cash/checks as well as actual food being given freely by both private residents and local businesses as well as charitable organizations. Former clients often return once they are able with donations of their own or, sadly, the other way around with those once donating suddenly finding themselves in need.

Actual operations, though overseen by Johnson, are performed by volunteers. With only a couple hours a week put in to managing donations and clients, she relies on the volunteers' countless hours to physically handle the sorting, storing and bagging of the actual food.

So why is proof of residency, not need, the only requirement for assistance? Paperwork.

Johnson pointed out that if she were to require further proof of need, it would in turn require hiring an additional employee – with tax dollars – to handle that paperwork to administer the food that is being donated in the first place. She does ask some basic questions for "tracking": number of people in household, for instance.

In comparison, I took a look at Frankfort Township's food pantry operation. At that location, there is a full time employee, Marifran Drymiller, whose entire job description matches her title (Director of Food Pantry); the state mandated financial assistance program is administered in Frankfort Township by Lucy Eaton, Operations Administrator.

Although  also has a residency requirement, there is often additional information required. This is "based on each individual application," Drymiller said. An example given was a denial of benefits letter for federal food stamps.

For further comparison, consider that Frankfort Township reports an average monthly family service number for 2010 of about 250 whereas New Lenox Township reports and an average of 120 families (consisting of anywhere from 1 to 9 – and even more – individuals). This is also affected by the differences in the respective townships' populations: Frankfort at 41,292 and New Lenox at 29,730.

Differences in numbers and policies aside, the two do seem very similar in several ways as related by both Johnson and Drymiller: the level of donations by the community ("awe-inspiring" said Drymiller, "this community – you ask, you receive" said Johnson), the reliance on – and dedication of – volunteers and the lack of awareness by the community in general about their respective food pantry operations were concerns voiced by both women.

So, as 2010 gives way to 2011, be aware that there are not only people in need throughout the area but that there are also places for them to go. This is thanks in large part not only to the respective governing bodies seeing the need and doing something to fulfill it but also due to companies and many individuals making the donations of time, food and financial assistance to keep them stocked and running.

If you don't already have one, maybe there is a New Year's resolution for you: If not making a donation, at least be aware so that you can step forward with the gentle suggestion for help to a neighbor or other acquaintance that you think might need some assistance.

Though, as Johnson put it, "we really don't know" who needs help and why. She like many others are simply there to offer it.

For assistance or to find out how to donate, call the New Lenox Township food pantry at 815-485-6431 or the Frankfort Township food pantry at 815-469-4907.