Members of AMFP Chicago pitched in June 8, 2021, to help staff the Rx Mobile Food Pantry’s drive-through food distribution in Hinsdale, Illinois.
The AMFP Chicago team—Bill Barkulis, Mary Basel Christopher, David Copeland, Brian Lee and Shelby St. Cin—helped unload and package food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and distribute bags to recipients in their vehicles. Families received a variety of cereal, fruit, milk, eggs and meat. The traffic wassteady, according to St. Cin. “In an hour and a half, we had more than 100 cars come through.”
The COVID-safe pantry was set up in a parking lot near AMITA Health Medical Center. Mary Basel Christopher, AMFP Chicago president, worked with Janet Kennedy, with AMITA mission integration, to schedule the volunteer activity.
“I really can’t explain the joy we felt in making even a small contribution,” says Brian Lee, a chapter member who’s helping coordinate future volunteer opportunities. “It was heart lifting to see how grateful people were to receive food for their families.”
This was AMFP Chicago’s first volunteer effort with the food pantry. In the past, chapter members have wrapped Christmas presents and made ornaments and created Valentine’s Day cards for hospitalized children. Lee says additional volunteer activities are planned for the remainder of the year and into 2022.
To learn more or volunteer, contact Brian Lee at blee@delauterinc.com or 224-578-0051.