'We’ve come a long way': 20th annual Freezin' for Food drive kicks into gear amid pandemic

DeKalb County community members are urging the monetary and food donations to keep coming for the 20th annual Freezin’ for Food drive benefiting The Salvation Army DeKalb Area Food Pantry.

WLBK FM 98.9/AM 1360 morning host TD Ryan, who’s braved the winter weather as the event’s host for two decades, said the food donations have been slower than event organizers would have liked for this year’s event, with 2,500 pounds of food collected as of 9 a.m. Friday.

However, he said, about $5,000 had been collected in monetary donations.

“So we’re getting less food and more money, which is fine,” Ryan said. “We would just give that to The Salvation Army to buy more food and … that’ll give them more bang for their buck.”

Ryan is collecting nonperishable food and monetary donations until noon Saturday in the Hy-Vee Shopping Center, 2700 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore. There also are two new ways to give this year: Monetary donations can be made through The Salvation Army DeKalb Corps Community Center Facebook page or by texting the word FREEZE to 51555.

Ryan said the reason the food donations are coming in a little slower than they have in years past is because area schools usually get involved in the collection efforts. With the COVID-19 pandemic this year, he said, that can’t happen.

“So that’s a big thorn in our side,” Ryan said.

There have been a few bright spots in the collection efforts this year, however, Ryan said. For example, the Sycamore High School football team was collecting food for the event and recently came by to drop off those donations.

“It’s great to see the young people stepping up like this,” Ryan said.

Ryan said he also fondly remembers a little girl a few years back giving her birthday money to the event so other kids could have cereal.

He said there also are people who come forward with generous donations but contribute anonymously because they don’t want the recognition.

“That’s a beautiful thing,” Ryan said.

Ryan said in 2001 the collection goal was 2,000 pounds of food, and last year 7,300 pounds of food were donated.

“We’ve come a long way from that first one,” Ryan said. “That’s for sure.”