Shields Township Helps Food Distribution Reach 200 Military, Residential Families

It took less than one hour to distribute more than 7,500 pounds of food to nearly 200 military and neighboring families on May 7.

Naval Station Great Lakes, Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) and Phoenix Rising, the 501(C)3 foundation of , together sponsored the mobile food drive on the grounds of the Forrestal Village Housing area in North Chicago.

Residents were offered their choice of meats (including beef, chicken, lamb, veal, pork and seafood), as well as fresh produce, breads, cereal and household products.

“When I got there at 9:15, there was already a long line. I saw clients of the Shields Township food pantry and many new faces. This drive was an important
collaboration among the naval base, Northern Illinois Food Bank and Phoenix
Rising,” said , supervisor of Shields Township.

“People were so appreciative of the array of food," she added. "NIFB offered food products we aren’t able to provide at our pantry due to refrigeration/freezer needs.”

In addition to advertising the rive to the military families of Shields Township, the Navy also provided the many volunteers necessary to make the event a success. The military volunteers helped unload the semi, set up, and take down tables and boxes in addition to providing an escort to those unable to carry their bounty to their cars.

Phoenix Rising provided the $750 funding for the mobile food drive. Phoenix Rising is funded through private donations as well as processing fees for passport services. No tax dollars were used to support the mobile food drive.

“It’s a powerful return on the investment…$750 purchasing more than 7,500 pounds of quality food to support our military and other resident families. I hope we do more of these mobile drives and reach more of our less fortunate neighbors,” Strenger Wayne said.