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EDWARDSVILLE — Local food pantries are benefitting from donations made by Madison County employees this holiday season.
“Our employees collected 2.5 tons of canned goods and other non-perishable foods this month to donate to local food pantries,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said.
Prenzler said because of COVID-19, the annual door-to-door Scouting for Food collection event was unable to take place. He said that Tina Barnard, a board member with the Glen-Ed Food Pantry contacted the county to see if the county would be interested in holding the food drive.
“We didn’t hesitate to say yes,” he said. “Employees did an outstanding job.”
Prenzler and County Board member Erica Conway Harriss, of Glen Carbon, delivered items to the Glen-Ed Pantry Thursday morning with assistance from employees with the Facilities Department.
Glen Ed Food Pantry Director of Development Jane Ahasay said she was most appreciative for the donations especially since they have seen an uptick in people who are coming in.
“We are seeing an average of 10 new families a month,” Ahasay said. “We’re seeing multi-generational households, where someone lost his or her job or housing and now has moved in with their parents or another relative. “
County Board member Robert Pollard of East Alton arrived at Operation Blessing in Wood River around 11 a.m. to deliver items as well as give a monetary donation.
“It’s the least I could do,” Pollard said. “There are so many struggling out there right now and its important to give back to the community.”
Operation Blessing Director Karen Wilson said she is thankful for the donation and everything that the community does.
Other board members, Bill Meyer of Hamel, Liz Dalton of Collinsville, Denise Wiehardt of Granite City and Chris Hankins of Pontoon Beach also delivered items to food pantries across the county.
Interim Facilities Director Chris Milton said his department was more than happy to assist in delivering the donated items. He said on Friday employees raised another $263 dollars, including a $100 donation from Community Care Center Board President Kenneth Newton to go to St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry in Collinsville, to purchase groceries, diapers and personal hygiene items.
“We are blessed that no county employees were laid-off during this time,” Milton said. “We are fortunate to give back during a time when so many families are struggling.”
