Parish, Knights help fill funding void for food pantry

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By Anne Marie Amacher

When a large fundraiser for the North Scott Food Pantry was discontinued two years ago, a void in funding threatened to adversely affect those served by the pantry.

In response, the St. Ann Parish church life/family life committee in Long Grove took action. The committee hosted a golf outing that raised $2,000 in its first year.

Other commitments prevented the committee from continuing to host the event, so St. Ann’s newly established Knights of Columbus Council 14695 agreed to take over, said Jeff VanDeCasteele of the parish.

This year’s event included 18, four-member teams. Those 72 golfers hit the course and raised $3,723 for the North Scott Food Pantry.

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Deanna Nielsen, treasurer for the North Scott Food Pantry, said various organizations have come through for the pantry and the donation from St. Ann’s and the Knights is greatly appreciated.

Prior to August 2008, Nielsen said the pantry averaged about 35 to 40 families per month. Then last August it “spiked to about 50 families.” That number has remained at about 52 families each month since then, she noted.

The North Scott Food Pantry serves families and individuals who reside within the North Scott Community School District.

Nielsen said money donations go toward food. “There are very little administrative costs — only stamps and some paper for thank-yous.”

She said the pantry plans to use the Knights’ donation to make food baskets for Christmas for around 150 families. “We will have no problem paying for those items with their donation.” Any leftover money would go toward regular food purchases.

“The North Scott community has really supported us. We are lucky.”

VanDeCasteele expects the golf outing to be an annual event and invites churches in that district to become involved. “This is not just a St. Ann’s event. It is open to all who want to help this worthy cause.”


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