Naperville pantry event raises awareness of hunger

Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry serves up more than nonperishable food items and a desire to help stop hunger.

Its organizers provide residents with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and personal hygiene products.

The pantry even offers birthday kits for families with young children.

But, most importantly, Loaves and Fishes offers support.

“We are a community pantry,” Development Director Melvin Kim said. “We do more than distribute groceries.”

Loaves and Fishes will prove just that Saturday when it hosts the fourth annual Day Without Hunger, the first in the pantry’s newly completed location at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville.

“In our area and in DuPage County in general, hunger is often overlooked,” Kim said. “We hear all of the statistics about how wealthy and affluent the community is, and in that mix we often lose sight of the individuals who are really struggling and really need assistance in terms of basic everyday living.”

The event runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday with the hope of raising awareness not only about the presence of food insecurity within the community, but also about the larger mission of Loaves and Fishes.

“Our vision is to end hunger in the community,” Kim said. “And we realize that in order to end hunger, there’s a certain necessity in addressing the situation immediately. But we also know that that itself won’t end hunger.”

From 8 a.m. to noon, Loaves and Fishes will host a distribution for families struggling with food insufficiencies. Afterward, members of the community are invited to a free barbecue to symbolize solidarity within the community.

Attendees will be invited to have their photo taken as part of a Photothon and placed on a mosaic under the phrase, “Together we dream of a day without hunger.” The mosaic will help decorate Loaves and Fishes’ new facility.

“They’re going to help us create a permanent display,” Kim said of those who participate in the Photothon. “So we can say that these are the people working with us to end hunger.”

Last year, the event drew a crowd of nearly 500, with 100 families benefiting from the food distributed early in the day, Kim said. Food and monetary donations will be accepted throughout the event.

Through the Pathways to Empowerment initiative, Loaves and Fishes works with a number of local organizations to provide greater resources to families in need. Representatives from partner groups will be on hand throughout the day to offer information on everything from literacy programs to emotional and career counseling.

Other area food pantries also will be present at the Day Without Hunger.

“It’s a way to increase community awareness both for those who are hungry and those who have resources to share,” West Suburban Community Pantry Executive Director Barbara Schmith said.

Each year, Loaves and Fishes distributes food to more than 17,3000 households in Naperville and throughout DuPage County. Loaves and Fishes also offers services to help residents file their taxes or find a job, Kim said.

Though the problem of hunger within the DuPage community is far from being solved, Kim is confident that through increased awareness the organization’s goal is not impossible.

If you go

If you go

What: Loaves and Fishes’ annual Day Without Hunger

When: Food distribution 8 a.m. to noon today, community barbecue 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville

Cost: Free

Info: loaves-fishes.org/events