Today is day 25 of the government shutdown and many government employees and contractors who work directly with the government are struggling to make ends meet. Many people who live in and around Oak Park have been directly impacted by the shutdown. The Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry is offering support to those workers who have had to go without a paycheck. Any government employee with a valid ID in need of assistance can receive a week’s worth of groceries from the food pantry.
The Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry is open for food distribution from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 3:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Government employees can arrive on either of those days to receive assistance. Meeting the needs of the community is a top priority for the food pantry. In Oak Park alone, an estimated 7,000 people are food insecure, meaning that they do not know where their next meal will come from. When situations like the shutdown arise, those needs increase.
If you’ve been looking for a tangible way to give back to the community or the government workers who are not being paid due to the shutdown, the food pantry is a great place to volunteer. They have a variety of volunteer shifts available at different times, allowing you to work it into your schedule. You can also donate to the pantry directly on their website. Part of what makes the Oak Park area so special is the way the community often comes together in support of those in need.
