Summer Newsletter 2025

2025 Summer Edition

People’s Resource Center Meeting Our Community’s Needs - Neighbor to Neighbor

50 Years of Serving Our Neighbors Page 3

Wheaton Clothes Closet Reopens Page 2

50th Anniversary Gala, Save the Date Page 4

50 Years of Volunteers Dear Neighbor, As we celebrate People’s Resource Center’s 50th Anniversary, we are proud to honor the compassionate, dedicated individuals who have been the driving force behind our mission since day one.

In 1975, a small group of neighbors recognized that despite the prosperity of DuPage County, many families were being left behind.

Our founder responded with simple acts of care—they rented a house in Wheaton and asked friends to bring groceries. That year, they shared food with 125 families. What they built wasn’t just a pantry, it was a movement rooted in community, compassion, and making a direct impact.

From those humble beginnings, People’s Resource Center has grown into a vital, full-service agency providing both basic needs and empowerment programs to more than 7,000 families annually. Throughout our 50-year journey, one constant has remained: the unwavering commitment of volunteers. Their generosity of time, spirit, and skill has shaped PRC’s legacy and touched tens of thousands of lives.

The year 2025 brings many new opportunities for PRC. We are celebrating our 50th Year of neighbor-to-neighbor impact! Activities planned throughout the year include volunteer and service partner open houses, team appreciations featuring an anniversary theme, a special 50th Anniversary logo and web page, story collection across the entire PRC community, sharing stories from our history, anniversary themes in client programs, an anniversary fundraising gala, and a time capsule. Also this year, our Westmont facility will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and a birthday party is being planned for August 19. Stay tuned for details on the festivities!

Today, 25,000 of our neighbors turn to PRC each year for support. With the help of over 2,500 active volunteers, we continue to offer essential services like food, clothing, emergency financial assistance, as well as pathways to long-term stability through job assistance, adult literacy, computer training, and more. These services are provided free of charge, made possible by the enduring power of volunteers like you.

From sorting food to mentoring job seekers, from teaching English to offering a warm smile at the door, volunteers are at the heart of every moment, every milestone, and every meaningful change. We are deeply grateful for every hour, every effort, and every kindness you and those before you have given.

Here’s to the next 50 years of volunteers standing together, serving together, and continuing to make a difference.

With deep gratitude,

Jeni Fabian Chief Executive Officer

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People’s Resource Center Board and Staff President Erin Keyser Norton Vice President Ingrid Becton Treasurer Bill Delbridge Secretary Shayne Purdue Board Members Cheryl Blum Consuelo Cabral John Dalby, Jr. Laura Desmarais Brent Loebig Mike Rothkopf Leanne Sardiga Kunal Vora John Wallerius Dr. Leatha Ware Sue Winkler Jeff Zidell Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Fabian Vice President, Human Resources and Operations Sue Bultman Vice President of Finance Linda Cheatham Vice President of Advancement Allison Rickard Vice President of Programs Christina LePage Manager of Marketing & Communications Carl Alston

Wheaton Clothes Closet Reopens The Wheaton Clothes Closet at 201 S. Naperville Road officially reopened on March 18, marking the return of a vital PRC service to the community after a fiveyear hiatus. The reopening was met with smiling faces, warm welcomes, and overwhelming gratitude from both neighbors and volunteers.

Job seekers could speak with 31 employers at the Career Fair this year.

10th Annual Career Fair Success The Raymundo family was pleased

In just the first two days, to find lots of clothes at the Clothes Closet distributed Wheaton Clothes Closet. more than 2,250 items of clothing to over 100 households. That’s more than numbers—it’s dignity, warmth, and comfort for families across DuPage County.

You can help strengthen our impact! Your generous clothing donations are needed to help neighbors in need look and feel their best. We gratefully accept spring and summer clothing, as well as accessories like purses, wallets, scarves, jewelry, belts, and ties. Donations are welcome in person at both Wheaton and Westmont locations—or you can shop from our online wish lists at https://www.peoplesrc.org/clothing-donations/.

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, donors, and supporters for making the Wheaton Clothes Closet a place of welcome, dignity, and community. Let’s keep the momentum going! Because everyone deserves to feel good in what they wear.

On Thursday, March 13, PRC was proud to host our most successful Career Fair yet, welcoming a record-breaking 442 neighbors to the Wheaton Public Library for a day filled with opportunity, networking, and career-building support.

The Career Fair connected job seekers with 31 local employers from across DuPage County, representing industries from healthcare and hospitality to manufacturing and public service. Attendees also had the chance to engage with 12 community partners, participate in four job-readiness workshops, and even have professional headshots taken for their LinkedIn profiles—all at no cost.

This impactful event was made possible thanks to the collaboration and generosity of many. A huge thank-you goes out to Wheaton Public Library, for once again being a gracious and accessible host; Milton Township CERT, for managing parking and ensuring smooth traffic flow; Villa Park Public Library and Tri-Town YMCA, for providing shuttle service to help neighbors from the east side of DuPage County attend; and to every employer and community partner and volunteer who took time to connect with job seekers and offer valuable resources.

Here’s to building brighter futures for all of DuPage County — together.

Celebrating a Decade of Dedication: Denise Kolar Named PRC’s 2025 Outstanding Neighbor of the Year As People’s Resource Center served in our Westmont food pantry, contributing over 2,000 hours (PRC) celebrates a milestone across both pantry locations and the Clothes Closet. Her teammates 50 years of service in DuPage rely on her steady presence, and the entire PRC community benefits County and 10 years at our from her purposeful dedication.”

Westmont location, we are Denise graciously accepted the award, and acknowledged by proud to recognize one of her granddaughter, Faith, who attended the event with her. In her the extraordinary individuals acceptance speech, she reflected on her years of service: Caption: (L-R) PRC’s VP of who brings our mission of Advancement Allison Rickard, neighbor-to-neighbor support “After almost 10 years of volunteering at PRC, I treasure the connections I’ve made with other Westmont volunteers and our 2025 Outstanding Neighbor Award to life. neighbors. Being of service in such a special place has given me recipient Denise Kolar and PRC Board At the Westmont Community so much joy. Thank you for this honor.”

President Erin Norton at the Westmont Awards Dinner in April, Denise Community Awards Dinner Kolar was honored with the From her first day in the pantry to becoming a cornerstone of 2025 Outstanding Neighbor Award for her remarkable commitment the Westmont volunteer team, Denise embodies the spirit of and inspiring volunteerism. PRC’s Vice President of Advancement, compassion, reliability, and community that defines the PRC family.

Allison Rickard, presented the award, sharing heartfelt words about We are deeply grateful for her continued service and the inspiration she provides to us all.

Denise’s impact: “Dedicated volunteers bring our mission to life, and Denise’s Congratulations, Denise Kolar—our 2025 Outstanding Neighbor! commitment is truly remarkable. For the past 10 years, she has

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Fifty Years of Serving Neighbors A chance meeting between Father Tom Peyton and Dorothy McIntyre changed the world; at least for residents of DuPage County. Their words and shared views led to actions, that flourished into what is now known as People’s Resource Center.

They founded a group of concerned citizens called the Religious Education Community (REC) who joined together to provide food for neighbors in need. Since 1975, People’s Resource Center (PRC) has been bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County.

1970s • Peace and Justice Center (established prior to 1975) moves to house on Indiana Avenue in Wheaton, where REC could meet.

Food and clothing were stored and distributed to neighbors who needed them from this location. Al White (in window) was Food Pantry Supervisor in 1975-76.

• 1975 – PRC founded by Dorothy McIntyre, Father Tom Payton, and the REC Group

Twenty-five thousand DuPage residents rely on PRC for help each year. With a team of over 2,500 active volunteers, PRC offers basic services like food, clothing and emergency rent and mortgage assistance, as well as empowerment services like Job Assistance, Adult Literacy and Computer Access and Training, Art, and Social Services. The following are a just a few of the many events that have created 50 years of positive impact for our neighbors.

2000s

• PRC’s Job Assistance Program established to help neighbors facing myriad barriers to employment. Volunteer “counselors” helped in every aspect of job seeking.

• PRC’s Back to School Program established to help families secure the materials needed to succeed in school.

1980s

2010s

1990s

2020s

• Health services were provided in one of the rooms of the house on Indiana Avenue. The provision of health services morphed • PRC opens the doors at its 104 Chestnut Avenue location in Westmont in 2015, after having space in another building on into what became the DuPage Community Clinic. Those services Blackhawk since 2008. were moved to a building on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.

• Share the Spirit, PRC’s Holiday Gift-giving program was • Care for Cars program created to help neighbors get cars repaired in order to keep jobs. established.

• Women’s Wisdom art program created to help homeless and formerly homeless women find community and achieve personal growth.

• PRC’s Adult Learning & Literacy Programs begins by offering English as a Second Language classes to help immigrant families to succeed in the U.S.

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• PRC offered a shuttle service for a short time, to help get clients to and from the food pantry.

• After a two-year capital campaign, PRC opens its new 211 Building to the public in September 2024.

• In February, 2025, PRC hosts a ribbon cutting for the completed and fully functioning Wheaton Campus. The campus refers to both the 201 S. Naperville Road and the 211 S. Naperville road buildings.

Become a PRC 50th Anniversary Sponsor People’s Resource Center invites your business or organization to sponsor our 50th year. Choose the level that best fits your budget and support PRC’s basic needs and empowerment services, delivered neighbor-to-neighbor. Benefits include recognition at 50th Anniversary planned events, tickets to PRC events, and more.

Visit www.peoplesrc.org/prc50-sponsor for details. Email PRC Advancement Manager Debbie Dudek at ddudek@peoplesrc.org or call 630-682-5402, extension 306 with questions.

Thank you to the following businesses that are currently sponsors.

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Interns are Valued at PRC Interns have a valuable role to play in PRC service provision. The individuals below are helping in our Social Services and Food Pantry programs. While they take on daily duties to help our neighbors, like return call, sort food and interact with neighbors, they also gain valuable insights into professional work in the nonprofit and social services fields, to augment their classroom learning.

Jenna Bailey is from Lake Zurich, Ill., and is working on completing her Master’s in Clinical Nutrition at Rush University in Chicago. She is working in our Food Pantry Program.

“My goal is to gain an understanding of how a food pantry works, the federal assistance that is provided to the individual, and to get to know the people who utilize these resources.”

Jenna plans to work in the clinical setting in the future, specifically in a hospital. Her work at PRC has persuaded her to continue volunteering in food pantries in the future.

Chloe Chang is from Hinsdale, Ill., and is studying in the pre-law track at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She is working on a dual degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. Chloe is working in our Social Services Program.

“Throughout the summer, I hope to gain a better understanding about the different resources that PRC provides.

More specifically, the variety of ways PRC is able to help and service individuals within DuPage County.”

Chloe plans on becoming a family law attorney working on child custody cases. She has always had an interest in social services and helping to improve the wellbeing of others. She feels that PRC’s community of staff and volunteers have been extremely welcoming and being a part of this community and helping others is a rewarding experience.

Kristen Baurain is from Munster, Indiana.

She is a senior at Wheaton College studying Philosophy, Studio Art, and English Writing. She is working in PRC’s Art and Adult Learning and Literacy Programs.

Jaden Barnett is from Flossmoor, Ill., and is working on an MBA within the Registered Dietitian Program at Dominican University. Jaden also is working in our Food Pantry Program.

“I hope to learn how non-profit organizations receive donations, distribute, and plan/organize their events and classes.”

“I hope to invest in the community around me, build relationships and learn from people who are different from me, and discern if teaching is a good fit.”

Jaden enjoys giving back to the community through his internship with PRC. When asked about his most rewarding experience thus far, he mentions collecting food donations from the community at post offices that participated in the most recent Stamp Out Hunger event this spring.

We are grateful for all of the work these interns are doing for our neighbors and look forward to seeing them succeed in their educational endeavors and careers.

Kristen plans to professionally serve communities through nonprofit or educational institutions.

Welcome New Employees

What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?

Josue Dominguez Housing Assistance Specialist “My most unusual job was shoveling snow during snowstorms. I worked for a landscaping company and I had to use a tool like a leaf blower many times. I always ended up covered in snow. “

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Maggie Humbert Administrative Assistant, Empowerment Programs “The weirdest (but definitely fun) job I’ve had was as a children’s party host! The themes were super random and bizarre, and it was always an adventure trying to track down decorations for things like fairy-tale detectives or zombie unicorns”

PRC’s Nutrition Commitment At PRC, we believe that access to healthy food and knowledge about good nutrition are essential to living a full and healthy life.

That’s why we’ve made it a priority to expand our efforts to educate our neighbors about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Working in partnership with local community groups and organizations, PRC now offers regular health and nutrition programs to the families we serve. These include hands-on workshops focused on healthy cooking, learning how to read nutrition labels, and discovering ways to make food last longer.

Combined with access to fresh, nutritious food through our Food Pantry, these programs help neighbors make choices that can prevent diet-related illnesses while also easing the financial burden of grocery costs.

Last year, we took a major step forward by launching PRC’s nutrition commitment. This initiative is designed to encourage and support healthy eating and lifestyle habits among the diverse populations we serve. To make that possible, we’ve strengthened the variety of nutritious foods available at our pantries, so that every household has the opportunity to make healthier choices

Celebrating Community with PRC’s Volunteers A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at our recent Volunteer Open Houses in Wheaton and Westmont! These gatherings were not only celebrations of our amazing volunteers during PRC’s 50th Anniversary year - but also wonderful opportunity to connect, share, and celebrate the incredible people who make our work at PRC possible.

We are deeply grateful for PRC’s dedicated volunteers, whose generosity, time, and talents allow PRC to serve thousands of neighbors across DuPage County each year. Whether you help stock shelves, teach a class, or greet guests with a smile—you are the heart of PRC.

that not only satisfy hunger but also promote long-term wellness.

PRC now prioritizes purchasing foods that meet the Healthy Eating Research (HER) Nutrition Guidelines for the charitable food system. Through our food rescue program and generous community donations, we’re able to offer foods that respect our neighbors’ individual and cultural preferences while emphasizing health.

Another key part of our nutrition strategy is the use of the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) system. SWAP helps clients make more informed food choices by ranking food items based on their nutritional value. Foods are categorized into green, yellow, or red groups, depending on the amount of sodium, added sugars, and fat they contain—making it easier for individuals to understand which foods are healthier options.

PRC is helping to ensure that every family we serve has the opportunity to live a healthier life. We’re proud to continue building a stronger, more informed community—one meal at a time.

Your Bounty Can Help Neighbors

If your garden gives you too many tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, or any other herb or vegetable, share your wealth with PRC. Produce is the most-requested item in our food pantries. Your extras can help us meet our neighbors’ requests.

Feel free to drop off your donations at our Westmont or Wheaton offices during regular donation hours. Visit our website, peoplesrc.org, for hours.

Recent Supporters Thank you to the following charitable funding organizations for helping PRC achieve our mission.

We were thrilled to also welcome the friends attending from our community partners who stand beside us in so many ways—offering space, services, funding, and expertise. Your support strengthens our impact and expands what’s possible.

• Conagra Brands Foundation

• Rotary Club of Downers Grove

• Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund

• Rotary Club of Elmhurst

• DuPage Foundation

Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

• Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society

• Rotary Club of Naperville

PRC Partner Organization The Conservation Foundation attended our Westmont Volunteer Open House. (L-R) Sheryl Fasone of Green Earth Harvest at The Conservation Foundation, PRC’s Kiya Becket and Daisy Martinez, with Russell Cerocke from Green Earth Harvest at the Conservation Foundation.

• Hinsdale Junior Women’s Club • The Kroger Co. Foundation • Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation

• Rotary Club of Wheaton • TC Energy • Wheaton Lions Club • Whole Foods

REPORTING A CORRECTION People’s Resource Center welcomes comments and suggestions, or concerns about errors that warrant correction. Messages regarding a correction can be emailed to prc1@peoplesrc.org or you can call our Marketing Department at 630-682-5402.

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People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187 630-682-5402 peoplesrc.org

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PRC Community Events Calendar Rockin’ for Our Vets Concert Saturday, July 12 Cantigny Park, Wheaton Back to School Movie Night Wednesday, July 16 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Food Drive July 17 & 31 Wheaton Municipal Band Concerts, Memorial Park, Wheaton Dancin’ in the Streets Wednesday, August 6 Downtown Clarendon Hills Westmont 10th Anniversary Party All of September.

Visit PRC’s website and social

Hunger Action Month All of September.

Visit PRC’s website and social media for info.

PRC Career and Resource Fair Friday, October 3 PRC Westmont PRC 50th Anniversary Gala: Love Will Keep Us Together Saturday, October 4 Drury Lane, Oak Brook Holly & Hope Holiday Luncheon Thursday, November 13 Le Jardín at Cantigny Park, Wheaton Gavin Coyle & Friends Holiday Concert Friday, December 5 McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn