Hanover Township expands food pantry hours

Hanover Township recently expanded the hours of operation for its food pantry, from 29.5 hours a week to 33 hours a week.

Located at 7431 Astor Ave. in Hanover Park, the pantry experiences on average 1,300 visits per month, a 22% increase from last year.

“There are a number of factors contributing to the significant increase in usage of the pantry, including inflation and underemployment,” said Brian McGuire, Hanover Township Supervisor. “The township is simply responding to the demand from the community to make it easier for residents in need to access the pantry for food and other household items.”

New pantry hours are as follows:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturdays: 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The pantry is staffed by township volunteers who assist in sorting and picking up donations, as well as bagging items for residents. Since no tax dollars are used to stock the pantry shelves, the township relies on donations from individuals and families, community groups, civic organizations, places of worship, and local businesses, as well as financial contributions.

Donations for the pantry can be dropped off at the town hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett; the Senior Center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett; and the Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin; or directly at the pantry. Most needed items include: cereal, pancake mix, instant potatoes, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, canned goods, ketchup, paper products, white rice, and soup.

Hanover Township serves over 101,000 residents in portions of the Cook County communities of Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg.

For questions about the pantry, please call (630) 540-9085 or visit www.hanover-township.org.