Bensenville/Wood Dale Food Pantry
192 S. Center St.
Bensenville, IL 60106,
Phone: (630)766-9382
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For more than fifty years our community has cared about our people without sufficient food on their table. What began as an ecumenical ministry of our faith communities has grown to be supported by the entire community – churches, local businesses, individuals, grocery stores, corporations, school districts, social organizations, civic organizations, etc. In 2019 we established our own 501(c)3 as a community-wide, non-profit organization and our Board of Directors as well as our volunteers reflect this community-wide support.
The Food Pantry is normally open from 8:30 – 11:00 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays serving around 200 people a week with 15-20 volunteers working five days a week to collect, organize, and distribute food. Clients are able to select their own food as in a grocery store. Clients self-identify that they are in need of food – support is not based on income levels.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place decree, the Food Pantry is now open 8:30-11:00 am on Saturdays only – serving around 500 people a week with 8-10 volunteers working five days a week to collect, package in bags/boxes, and load food into our clients’ vehicles. The limited number of volunteers is to safeguard the health of our dedicated volunteers even as it increases their workload. Personal protection equipment (masks, gloves) is worn by all volunteers. Clients are given pre-packaged bags of dry-goods, produce, dairy, meat, bread/desserts, and (when available) personal-hygiene products and household cleansers.
In addition to the community support offered at the Food Pantry primary location on Center St., 50 to 80 bags/boxes each are prepared regularly for distribution at Castle Towers (Section 8 Housing), Fenton High School, Wood Dale Jr. High School, and District #2 schools.
Financial donations to The Food Pantry allow for purchases through Northern Illinois Food Bank where each dollar donated translates to food/products costing approximately $8.00 at retail stores. Donations can be made via checks or e-giving, please see address and website above.
The Food Pantry is currently in need of the following items: canned vegetables, bleach, laundry detergent, toilet paper, body soap, toothpaste, adult diapers, and feminine hygiene products. Donations may be dropped-off any weekday 7:30-11:00 am.
