information provided by the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau
TINLEY PARK, Ill. (March 8, 2018) – The goal for the sixth annual April Food Day event is to raise over 109,000 pounds of food. “Last year’s goal reached 109,000 pounds, and we implore all to give in hopes of surpassing this amount,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB. The annual April Food Day has been led by the Chicago Southland hospitality industry and is a joint effort of United Way of Metro Chicago and the South-Southwest Suburban Region (UWMC–SSW).
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau and area hotels, schools, park districts, and municipalities throughout the Chicago Southland region will be collecting food from now through April 25, 2018.
The problem of hunger isn’t unique to any one region, state, city or town. One in six Americans don’t have access to enough food, and many are hard-working adults with children, or seniors who simply can’t make ends meet. More than 6.4 million children are living in food-insecure households.
In Illinois, 64% of people that want help with food do not qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is where food pantries come in and help. The summer months are a critical time to combat childhood hunger and reach kids because they no longer have access to meals at school.
UWMC–SSW provides a list of preferred food donations to help make an impact in the lives of others. All should be in unopened, non-expired cans and boxes; no glass please.
- 100% Fruit and Vegetable Juice
- Bagged Rice and Beans (canned and dry)
- Canned Fruits and Vegetables (pull tops if possible)
- Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola Bars
- Chips, Cookies and/or Crackers
- Canned Meats and Stews
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Infant Supplies (baby food, formula, diapers)
- Laundry Detergent
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine products)
On April 25, 2018, from 10:00am–2:00pm all collected donations are to be dropped off at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. The following area pantries will be the recipients of donations received on April Food Day:
- Ford Heights Community Service Organization
- Hope Center, Blue Island
- Restoration Ministries, Harvey
- Rich Township, Richton Park
- St. Irenaeus, Park Forest
- Thornton Township, Harvey
- Together We Cope, Tinley Park
- Respond Now, Chicago Heights
For the latest up-to-date information on the event, please visit April Food Day.
