Thursday, March 28, 2024

Connect with us:

CSCVB organizes Lansing’s participation in April Food Day 2019

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (March 10, 2019) – The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau is once again participating in April Food Day, the United Way’s annual food collection event to help address food insecurity. The CSCVB is helping to promote the event as well as serving as a collection location. Lansing’s Holiday Inn Express & Suites is another local food collection site.

Needed items include the following—in unopened, non-expired cans and boxes; no glass please:

  • 100% fruit and vegetable juice
  • Bagged rice and beas (canned and dry)
  • Canned fruits and vegetables (pull tops if possible)
  • Cereal, oatmeal and 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)

Collections began on March 1 and will continue through April 18. Items will then be distributed to these local organizations:

  • Ford Heights Community Service Organization
  • Hope Center, Blue Island
  • Blue Cap, 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
  • Orland Township Food Pantry, Orland Park

United Way chose April for the annual food drive because this is a time when supplies received during the holidays begin to run out. Summer months see an increase in food pantry visits particularly by families with children who no longer have access to meals at school.

In Illinois, 64% of people that want help with food do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Food pantries help fill that gap. During last year’s April Food Day, United Way collected more than 128,000 pounds of food.

“Let’s keep up the great momentum that has brought us to this annual charity event,” said Jim Garrett, President/CEO for the CSCVB. “We truly care about the community, and the Chicago Southland hospitality industry has much to be proud of in the efforts to combat hunger around the region.”

On April 18, 2019, from 10:00am–2:00pm, all collected donations will be dropped off at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. An awards luncheon will also take place to honor those who have been instrumental in the area-wide food drive. For the latest up-to-date information on the event and drop off locations, please visit uw-mc.org/event/april-food-day-2019

Again, the two Lansing collection sites are:

  • Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau (2304 173rd Street)
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites (2323 172nd Street)

Other nearby collection sites include:

  • CALUMET CITY
    • Village of Calumet City (204 Pulaski Road)
    • Sandridge Fitness Center (600 Oglesby)
  • CHICAGO HEIGHTS
    • National ABLE (202 S. Halsted Street, ATOC Building, Suite 148)
  • FLOSSMOOR
    • Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery (1035 Sterling Avenue)
  • LYNWOOD
    • Village of Lynwood (21460 Lincoln Hwy)
  • PALOS HEIGHTS
    • Palos Heights City Hall (7607 West College Drive)
  • SOUTH HOLLAND
    • Happy Days Child Care Center (831 East 162nd Street)
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.