Salvation Army Tri-City Corps in St. Charles in ‘desperate’ need of donations

The food pantry at The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps in St. Charles announced in a news release it is in “desperate” need of donations because of continuing high demand while the rate of donations is down.

“We received 24,000 pounds of food and hygiene products in May from the annual St. Charles Post Office food drive,” food pantry coordinator Mike Meyer said in a news release. “That usually lasts us until December when the local churches, schools and business hold their food drives for us, but this year that amount is already gone because demand has gone up by about 25%.”

Almost everything is needed and would be appreciated, Meyer said, but some items are especially desired such as pasta and sauce, ketchup and mustard, dry cereal, canned corn and peas and hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, etc.).

“People don’t always associate St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva with food insecurity,” Meyer said in the release. “But we are providing a great service to the often unseen part of the community.”

Donations may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Tri-City Corps, 1710 S. Seventh Ave. in St. Charles. If the door is locked, ring the bell. People interested in organizing a food drive at their church, school, neighborhood or business are asked to contact Cathy Winters at 630-377-2769, ext. 210, or cathy.winters@usc.salvationarmy.org.