HCS Food Pantry Extends Hours to Help Flood Victims

The food pantry at HCS Family Services in Hinsdale will be open an extra day this week and stay open longer hours to address an increased need after last week's extensive flooding in DuPage County.

The HCS pantry will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, according to a release from the family services organization located in Hinsdale's Memorial Hall, 20 E. Maple St. Typically, the pantry is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only until 12:30 p.m.

"The pantry itself was not affected by the flooding, but is being inundated this week with requests for food," the release reads. "In fact, Monday of this week, the food pantry experienced a 45 percent increase in distribution, staying open an extra two hours to meet demand."  

Families in need came to the pantry on Tuesday, but it was closed. 

Northern Illinois Food Bank is sending 10 extra pallets of supplies—including dry and canned foods, fresh produce, bottled water and bleach—to help manage the increased demand. 

“We understand the flood devastation is widespread and ongoing, and many are just now being able to fully assess the damages to their homes,” Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Pete Schaefer said in the release. “At Northern Illinois Food Bank we will continue to increase our efforts to help our feeding partners affected by the flood, like food pantries such as HCS Family Services, who need to meet additional demand and help feed hungry neighbors.”

HCS is also temporarily opening its food pantry distribution to include anyone in DuPage County in need of food because of the flooding, as well as some of western Cook County. The organization typically serves Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Westmont and Willowbrook.  

HCS Family Services can also assist those needing financial assistance because of the flood through their affiliation with the Salvation Army.

"Through a special arrangement with HCS Family Services, those who cannot get to the food pantry on Thursday or Friday but are in need of emergency food because of the flooding can pick up a box of food provided by Northern Illinois Food Bank at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 201 N. Oak Street, Hinsdale, on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.," the release reads.

To find a food pantry or soup kitchen, log onto www.SolveHungerToday.org and click the “Get Help” tab to find the nearest location.