Citizen of the Month: Marlin Anderson
The objectives of the Sycamore Food Pantry have changed over the years; it began as an emergency resource for persons with a short-term problem...but has since evolved into a necessary supplement for persons who haven't got enough income to meet their needs.
Marlin Anderson has worked with the pantry since shortly after his arrival in Sycamore; the pantry is operated by Sycamore United Methodist Church, and provides regular food service as part of the DeKalb County Food Security Council.
The items offered include the traditional canned goods donated through food drives; but the organization also receives fresh bread, dairy products, produce and frozen meats from local food retailers. Grocers often wind up overstocked, and keeping food which isn't selling is unprofitable for them; so they participate in a local network with pantries including the one at Sycamore UMC, giving them fresh stock on a continuing basis.
And the pantry also obtains foods from the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva; its distribution center provides large-scale storage and an ongoing supply line of trucks bringing supplies to pantries all over the region.
On top of all this, the pantry often has to make direct purchases from local stores; volunteers take donations and buy up the items which aren't available from other sources directly from the shelves. Thanksgiving has increased the demand on the pantry, but its need is constant throughout the year...so donations of food and money are always welcome.