Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation

Wheeling Township demonstrates its dedication to meeting residents’ needs in many ways, including one of the most basic, by ensuring no one goes hungry.

The summer months pose a particular challenge for the food pantry in keeping its shelves stocked. In addition to children being home for all three meals that results in a greater need for food, summer is the time when most school, scouting and church food drives go on hiatus, and donations traditionally go down.

Food pantry usage in the summer of 2023 compared to 2022 was 78% higher. So far in 2024, overall usage has again increased, and the same pattern is expected to continue.

“Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation,” said Wheeling Township Supervisor Kathleen Penner. “Our first responsibility is to make sure residents have the resources, services and support they need, and access to food is one of the most critical. I know we can always count on our generous residents to help fill the pantry’s shelves.”

For community members wishing to make a difference, food and nonfood donations are always welcomed and appreciated, but are especially helpful this time of year due to the stated challenges. Individuals may not be aware that nonfood items may not be purchased with SNAP benefits (formerly called ‘food stamps’). Meanwhile, essential items like cleaning supplies, paper products and personal hygiene products are vitally important for everyone, but can be too expensive for many. The food pantry has separate shelves dedicated to these items, but they are frequently emptied due to greater need.

When shopping this summer, please consider buying a few extra items for the township’s food pantry. Current donation requests can be found at wheelingtownship.com/Food-Pantry.

During the summer months, the township’s “Giving Garden” program also gratefully welcomes fresh produce from local gardeners as they reap the benefits of their gardening. Fresh vegetables and fruits may be donated Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Items need not be washed, but the township asks that residents remove any loose dirt. Fresh produce is a very welcome addition for the many residents who utilize the food pantry.

Donations of nonperishable food and personal essentials are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For those who would prefer to make a financial donation, checks should be made payable to: “Wheeling Township Emergency Fund, Inc.,” which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

“We are thankful to all of our residents who are incredibly dedicated to helping their neighbors in need,” Penner said. “It is inspiring to see what can happen when people come together to help solve a problem.”

The Wheeling Township Food Pantry opened 55 years ago in 1969. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, 12,518 residents were fed, 2,959 of which were children. Over 40% of the food pantry’s clients are seniors over 60.

For more information on the food pantry, including how and when you can donate, please email GA@wheelingtownship.com.

Wheeling Township continues to make a significant difference in the community…as it has since 1850.