HOW THE POWER OF ONE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
What if we could do something to break the Covid dull apathy we have been experiencing? Rotarian Ed Gordan had an idea, that came from a friend and Rotary supporter Michael Greenberg, MD.
A few years ago, Greenberg, while doing medical trade shows, got an idea but ‘it fizzled flat, but thought now might just be the time to resurrect it.’ Covid-world has some silver-linings after all!
Greenberg said, “We're heading into winter and it appears that the government isn't going to continue to print and distribute money so easily. We already have hungry people, but those numbers are going to increase and so many of us have more than enough.”
Greenberg said, “We're heading into winter and it appears that the government isn't going to continue to print and distribute money so easily. We already have hungry people, but those numbers are going to increase and so many of us have more than enough.”
So, he reached out on Facebook to a number of friends including Ed Gordon. Gordon is a long-time Rotary Club of Northbrook, member, a former club president, active volunteer and community leader.
Ed mentions, “The Rotary Club of Northbrook has been a supporter of food insecurity programs for a long time. The members are comprised of corporate leaders who live in and around Northbrook. As Rotarians who work on many global projects, we know that food insecurity can happen in communities that others see only as being affluent. So our efforts are needed.”
Ed mentions, “The Rotary Club of Northbrook has been a supporter of food insecurity programs for a long time. The members are comprised of corporate leaders who live in and around Northbrook. As Rotarians who work on many global projects, we know that food insecurity can happen in communities that others see only as being affluent. So our efforts are needed.”
As regular volunteers and donors to the Northfield Food Pantry, the Rotary club has also granted funds to Hunger Resources, Hunger Free Northbrook and recently made a $1,000 grant donation to the Northbrook Farmers Market to help them reach their goals of providing additional food to SNAP users purchasing at the market.
So, when the topic came up about possibly having Halloween trick or treating “cancelled” in various municipalities Rotarians and their friends thought about Greenberg’s idea; “What if this Halloween, we change our focus from candy to cans? What if each child and/or family committed to collecting anywhere from 6 to 12 cans of food for their local food pantry? In my life, I have found that doing something for somebody else is a surefire way of feeling good and who doesn't need to feel a little bit better these days.”
Candy is good, Trick-or-Treating is fun -but this year let’s “Treat” Those in Need
Rotary is stepping in to encourage parents, grandparents, area businesses and their employees to show our youth that community service can be fun and lifechanging. How? By encouraging children to help those who may not be as fortunate by collecting CANs instead of CANDY!!
You can go through your pantry or shop at the grocery. Let each child pick out 6 cans or more of needed foods such as canned tuna; chicken; veggie, tomato, lentil soups; or creamy soups that can be added to rice or pastas; canned pasta with meats; or even boxes of rice sides; 100% Juices in cans or boxes.
Open up a conversation on how this can help a family get through trying times. Great conversations to have with you’re your children or grandchildren, share with neighbors and those at your church or temple. These are trying times for children and this project can help them feel safe and empowered: helping others; selecting foods to share; being kind (never to early to learn the Rotary way)!
Then the adventure begins! Dress up in costume if you like to deliver your food to either Sunset Foods drop box in the Northbrook store. Or drive over to the Northfield Township Food Panty https://twp.northfield.il.us/ to deliver. Since hours and needed foods can change call 847-724-8300 for updates or visit their website https://twp.northfield.il.us/ .
If you can’t or do not want to go out shopping you can make a donation right through our Rotary Club at this link:
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Hunger is Unacceptable in Our Community has been the Northfield Township Food Pantry’s mission for the past 50 years. The pantry helps residents of Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield who are unable to provide enough food for themselves and their families.
Over the years, the pantry has gone through many changes, starting out distributing bags of food from a supply closet to now operating a full client choice food pantry. The pantry has seen the number of households accessing services spike to over 800 after the 2008 economic crisis before leveling off at close to 600.
This latest challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the numbers to rise again with over 250 new households turning to the pantry for help in the last several months.
The tremendous outpouring of support we have received since the pandemic started has been heartwarming. Daily food and monetary donations and volunteer help have made it possible for us to continue meeting the needs of our community.
“We are grateful to operate in such a caring community. The pantry has always been a story of neighbors helping neighbors and that shine particularly bright during a crisis,” said Jill Brickman, Northfield Township Supervisor.
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