April 28, 2024
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A commitment to feeding the hungry in Will, Grundy counties

D. 86 in Joliet served its 1 millionth ‘pandemic’ meal to kids, more free food events in area are coming up

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Rosa Lozano and her children Kevin and Yumalai Lozano were the millionth meal recipients of the Grab and Go children meals. Joliet Public Grade School District 86 has distributed the meals since last March. (Photo provided)

At 11:40 a.m. March 11, the Lozano family of Joliet received “the millionth meal.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Joliet Public Schools District 86 has served meal kits to families with children. A milestone of having distributed a million meal kits was reached on March 11, with the Lozano family receiving the millionth one, according to a news release from District 86.

Rosa Lozano and her children, Kevin, a seventh grade student at Hufford Junior High, and Yumalai Lozano, a fifth grade student at Taft Elementary, also received a goody bag, signs, and flowers from Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse and Nutrition Services Department employees.

“Grab and Go” meals continue every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Dirksen, Gompers, Hufford and Washington Junior High Schools in Joliet.

Families may receive up to seven breakfasts and seven lunches per child each week. Families do not have to provide the names of the children. Face masks, however, are required.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Joliet Public Schools District 86 has served meal kits to families with children. A milestone of having distributed a million meal kits was reached on March 11. (Photo provided)

More opportunities for food

Northern Illinois Food Bank in partnership with We Care of Grundy County and Goodwill will host a series of mobile food pantry events on a drive-thru basis for Grundy County residents who need groceries.

These will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, April 17, May 15 and June 19 in the parking lot of the Goodwill store, located at 414 Arthur Ave. in Morris.

The boxes of food will be pre-packed and loaded into vehicles by volunteers from Exelon Dresden.

Food is distributed on a first-come, first served basis, while supplies last. For additional resources, visit SolveHungerToday.org/GetHelp and wecareofgrundy.com or call 844-600-SNAP (7627).

Northern Illinois Food Bank has also partnered with Word of Life Church to host a pop-up food pantry from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 2 at the World of Life Church, 1500 Cedarwood Drive in Crest Hill. The first 200 families will be served free groceries.