Braidwood Pantry adds hours to meet demand

The Community Care Center–Braidwood Food Pantry, 112 S. Center St., Braidwood, has extended its hours. The food pantry is open Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and again from 3 to 5 p.m. The late afternoon hours were added so that individuals who work will have the opportunity to obtain food.
“By offering something new, we will be eligible for a grant from Northern Illinois Food Bank, who provides some of the food we distribute,” Verna Clark, director of the food bank, said. “If we reach more families by being open later, we will use that grant to provide more food to people who need it.”
Braidwood Food Pantry is funded through the donations of area residents, businesses, organizations, and churches. Clark and her staff volunteer their time. No one is paid.
There are no geographic residency requirements to receive food. If multiple persons from the same address are registered, they will be considered one family.
Each family may visit the pantry once a month, and must bring a current form of identification each time they visit.
Every six months, clients are required to update their information in Link2Feed www.link2feed.com.
The food pantry purchases most of the food distributed from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, government programs, Direct Connect with Aldi, Walmart of Morris and Jewel of Shorewood. Food availability changes based on donations and supplies.
The food bank is closed on major holidays.