From soup to noodles: a search for pantry staples

The cereal and pasta cabinets are empty at Together We Cope’s food pantry in Tinley Park. Donation of those items, as well as canned soup and rice, are greatly appreciated at this time of the year. Further information is at 708-633-5040.

Together We Cope officials said the agency is fortunate to have received several tons of food this season from thousands of generous people in the south suburban area. However, TWC’s food pantry currently has a serious shortage of certain staples as summer gets under way.
      Each grocery bag given to families seeking food assistance at the Tinley Park pantry is packed with certain staples - in particular, canned soup, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal. Thus, those items are depleted the most quickly and are always needed to fully stock the pantry shelves. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, from which TWC purchases much of its food, also is out of those particular items at this time.
     “During the summer months, when children are out of school, families tend to go through groceries faster as they provide lunches at home,” said Carol Ettema, food pantry director.  
     Contributions of such staple items are greatly appreciated. They can be brought to TWC’s food pantry from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Those wishing to conduct a food drive for those items can contact the pantry manager at 708-633-5040. Together We Cope is located at 17010 South Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley Park.