2021 Winter Edition
People’s Resource Center Meeting Our Community’s Needs - Neighbor to Neighbor
All About the Food Pantry New Location Page 1
New Initiative Page 3
New Innovation Page 3
Delivering Inspiration Page 4
New Food Distribution – St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
By Morgan Abate
Every Saturday morning since May, hundreds of cars have “We probably had enough food for about 100 people, but lined the parking lot of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in West we probably had—I don’t even know how many hundreds— Chicago for free groceries and household supplies. because we started turning people away,” Pastor Josh says. A volunteer winds up and down the rows of cars, taking basic information from families, including the city they live in, the number of people in the household and the number of households they are picking up for that morning. Head Pastor Josh Ebener checks in with families and volunteers, directs traffic, and loads groceries into cars. He regularly switches back and forth from English to Spanish.
As the pandemic continued into the summer and word spread about the grocery distribution, St. Andrews forged new partnerships, including People’s Resource Center (PRC), which, Pastor Josh says, has been critical to scaling the distributions to serve every family. With the WeGo Community Market temporarily closed, it was a great opportunity for PRC to stay involved in West Chicago.
“It’s really neat to be a part of a multicultural community and “We bring most of the nonperishables and some produce from we try to cross cultures and bring people together,” he says. the Food Bank,” says Ken Madden, director of food pantry “We’ve always been a church, too, of having care for our services. “We even bring over extra diapers from Wheaton. community.” Josh gets most of the produce, meat and eggs.” At the start of the pandemic, Pastor Josh noticed how deeply affected the congregation was. People lost their jobs and could not pay rent. He reached out to long-time partner Immigrant Solidarity DuPage to figure out what relief they could provide to the whole community.
Since July, PRC has picked up food from Northern Illinois Food Bank on Friday morning and delivered it to St. Andrew. A group of volunteers from St. Andrews and neighboring Lutheran churches unloads the groceries and arranges them for distribution on Saturday morning. Members of the church, local civic groups and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage help run the distribution while PRC manages intake and safety protocols.
“They helped us start getting donations from local grocers and that’s kind of where the genesis of the food program was,” he says. “It has really been a community effort to make this a thing,” Director of Food Pantry Services Ken Madden says. “It’s just The church posted about the grocery distribution the night so cool to be a part of that, and Pastor Josh is just an awesome before their first grocery distribution. The next morning, they person.” filled the parking lot.
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A Message from PRC
Board of Directors
Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
President - Jeff Zidell
As the weather begins to change, we are reminded of some traditional fall events – school days, football, trick or treating – which are not happening as usual. As we appreciate tree leaves changing to brilliant colors, families on walks in their neighborhoods, and apples from a fall harvest, we realize many important things have still stayed the same. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our way of life, and despite all this – the PRC community has been resilient and stayed strong, making sure that the best things about us still remain.
Secretary – Prashant Parikh
When the Covid-19 crisis broke, PRC rapidly modified operations. We adapted our emergency food and social services to safely care for our work teams and those seeking help. Jobs, Literacy and Art have moved online during this time of social distancing. We are still meeting vital needs, every day.
Vice President – Erin Norton Treasurer – Brent Loebig Anjali Alva Jack Baldermann Ophelia Barsketis Consuelo Cabral Mary Constantino John Dalby, Jr. Marsha McDermott
Since March 17, we have reached 3,426 families with emergency services and filled an astounding 18,000 car trunks with nutritious food!
Sr. Pat Norton, OSF
We plan to continue with safety precautions, social distancing and outdoor food distribution until it is safe to work differently. The kindness and encouragement of our community has truly made it possible to continue living out PRC’s mission of neighbors helping neighbors.
James Orel
I am grateful for the community’s tremendous support to sustain PRC’s mission. This newsletter includes many examples of hope and inspiration. We have been humbled by these though there are many more. From volunteers responding to the call to help during a pandemic, to tutors in the art and literacy programs, to the tremendous generosity we’ve seen from our donors and supporters – we’ve worked together and I know we will get through the challenges of this time. With gratitude, from all of us at PRC,
Kathy O’Malley Thomas G. Paulick Kimberly VanderSchaaf John Wallerius Sue Winkler Founder Dorothy McIntyre Executive Director Jenifer Fabian
Jeni Fabian Executive Director
Director of Operations Linda Cheatham Director of Development Michelle B. Clegg Senior Director of Programs Christina LePage PR and Marketing Susan Bax Manning People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187
Visit our website at peoplesrc.org and you’ll see a big change in the format. The clean, new layout offers intuitive options so all users – clients, supporters and volunteers - can access the information they need. Each of PRC’s programs has their own page, full of pertinent information about classes, workshops and events. For potential clients there are easy instructions on how to sign up for services and continuing clients will find registering for programs is much easier than before. Those who want to join the more than 2,700 volunteers who assist at PRC, the Volunteer pages describe specific needs and easy access to a volunteer application. PRC supporters and those who want to discover more about the agency are encouraged to go to peoplesrc.org to learn about the need for help in our community and how PRC meets these needs neighbor to neighbor.
104 Chestnut Avenue Westmont, IL 60559 Phone: (630) 682-5402 Fax: (630) 682-5412 Peoplesrc.org
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PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO HELP HUNGRY NEIGHBORS People’s Resource Center (PRC) is excited to be part of a pilot process for My Pantry Express (MPX). This program was designed by Northern Illinois Food Bank to reach neighbors not currently being served by the area food networks. MPX offers a free, private, online food shopping experience and local pickup in Westmont, IL for food-insecure neighbors, making it easier for them to access the nutritious foods they need. According to PRC Food Director, Ken Madden, “MPX allows DuPage County families to go online and select the exact foods they want. They then are able to pick up the food in the convenience and safety of their own vehicle.”
org/peoplesrc on a digital device. Once on the site they can select their groceries and set up a pickup time at PRC’s Westmont location, 104 Chestnut Ave. It takes approximately one week to receive the food.
DuPage residents can access My Pantry Express during a specified week each month by going to www.mypantryexpress.
PRC looks forward to quickly growing the program each month and making even more of an impact in the fight against hunger.
New Innovation Between Good Sam and PRC People’s Resource Center’s (PRC) mission to feed the hungry goes beyond the walls of our facilities. Our partnership with Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove includes supporting health and wellness for hospital residents who are food insecure. To assist with this objective, PRC participates in a grocery pilot with the hospital, supplying food to individuals in cancer treatment who might otherwise go without. PRC has a history with Good Samaritan and has a seat on the Advocate/Good Samaritan Health Advisory Council. In December 2020, the hospital identified us as a strong partner for their efforts and the program began. “I love that we can partner with Good Samaritan to provide an additional food resource to those who are suffering from cancer,” said Ken Madden, PRC Food Pantry Director.
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Each month, 10 bags of non-perishable healthy food from PRC are delivered to cancer patients. Good Samaritan provides a list of food and personal care items for the PRC-packed grocery bags. The bags also include information about PRC and healthy recipe cards. “PRC is excited to have this opportunity,” Ken continued. “Anytime we can help those who need food is a win for everybody.”
Client Encouragement Cards During these days of quarantine and Covid 19, we could all use some words of encouragement. Thanks to the Operations Department at PRC, volunteers are fulfilling this need for People’s Resource Center (PRC) clients.
in person to engage and encourage them, these cards provide an amazing opportunity for these volunteers to send a handwritten note to those who need it during these hard times,” explained Volunteer Manager Lucinda Page.
A dozen long-term volunteers who are unable to perform their ‘regular’ jobs are now writing encouragement cards which are quietly placed in clients’ food bags or boxes.
The Dhunjishas estimate they have written 1,500 cards. “It takes both of us one week to finish 100 cards since we write them on and off during the day.”
“We have been missing going to PRC for our jobs in the food pantry and the computer lab. And due to the lockdown, we have not been able to help out at all. This was our way to pay back,” said volunteers Freya Dhunjisha and her husband Faroukh.
The cards are signed with the writer’ name and the phrase, “on behalf of the PRC team,” below it. “In the beginning the messages were pre-picked for us,” recalled Freya. “Then we started getting cards with pre-printed messages on them, so all we wrote was our name and ‘on behalf of PRC ‘on the bottom.”
“We were happy to do anything that could help bring a smile to our clients during these difficult times.” Since August of 2020 when the program began, over 14,700 handwritten cards have been created through this project. PRC purchases the cards and once a month, 300 cards are delivered to a writer’s home. They choose from a menu of encouraging messages to handwrite on the card and sign it. Cards are returned to either PRC location and placed in its outdoor dropbox. Receptionists collect them and add cards to the current stock.
Though it’s hard to predict a client’s reaction to the card, PRC recently heard from Lori. “This letter is dedicated to others who help us get through challenging times…I saved the card that was given to me the last time I was there. Serves as inspiration!” As Freya observes, “We thought the cards were a splendid idea to cheer up clients when they came to pick up food, and to make them feel they are not alone in these trying times – to keep their chins up not to give up and look forward to better days.”
“During a time that some volunteers are not able to meet clients
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New Employees:
Do you prefer to work at home or in the office? Rich Allen
Araceli Sepulveda
When I work at PRC, I’m working with a great group of folks trying to help those in need. Being able to work alongside kind people like that is honestly helping me get through these rough times.
I would like to do a combination of both, but I am not sure if my position allows. I like working from the office because I like interacting with people and structure, but with Covid being around I think it would be safer to do both.
Food Pantry Assistant
Kiya Becket
Food Pantry Coordinator I prefer to work at PRC! It is how I can connect with the clients, volunteers and my co-workers!!!
Angelica Diaz
Social Services Coordinator I never worked from home before but it definitely is nice to have my dog by my side. If only I could bring him in the office. I do enjoy working in the office since I can work with two monitors versus just one, and I love decorating my office. So far it has been great working at PRC, everyone is so welcoming. I truly enjoy what I do.
David Gonazalez Director of IT
I like both. I enjoy being in the office and being around others and being available to help others. I also enjoy working from home and the flexibility it provides. Even with 3 kids at home being homeschooled I am able to get things done but also be available as needed.
Receptionist
Amy Zurita
Adult Computer Literacy Manager Is it cheating if I say that I can’t pick a preference? I love that when I work from home, I get to have my dogs with me all day long. But I miss seeing and chatting with my coworkers, which was something that I loved about being onsite. My dogs don’t carry on conversations quite the same.
Thank You
“Best place I have ever been, people there are full of love! Thank you so much for helping...”
Grants
Alfred Bersted Foundation
Community Memorial Foundation Compeer Foundation George M. Eisenberg Foundation for Charities George W. Bauer Family Foundation ESCO Technologies Foundation EcoLab Foundation FDC Foundation Greer Foundation Judy Family Foundation Kott Memorial Charitable Trust Kroger Foundation Lions Club of Wheaton A.M.
Hailey Hawkins
Student Assessment Coordinator I haven’t had the chance to work in-person at PRC yet, so while working from home is convenient, I’ll be happy once I can go to the office and meet everyone in person! (But my dog definitely prefers me working from home!)
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Topfer Family Foundation Wesley Luehring Foundation Wheaton Franciscan Sisters Corporation Ministry Fund PRC would also like to recognize the partners who issued COVID relief grants to PRC in 2020:
Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund Community Memorial Foundation DuPage Foundation FDC Foundation Topfer Family Foundation
New Board Members
Marsha McDermott
Anjali Alv
For the past 18 years, Marsha McDermott has worked in a variety of roles at RR Donnelley. As a Senior Human Resource Professional, she focused on the areas of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion, and is currently their Workplace Inclusion and EEO Compliance Manager.
Anjali Alva joins PRC having worked for family foundations as a grant manager for over 10 years. She first learned about PRC when she was a volunteer and then on staff at Sharing Connections.
“Our team greatly respected the work being done at PRC, and we would regularly refer our clients living in DuPage,” she recalled. “I love that PRC offers such a broad array of services that helps Marsha, a Westmont resident, heard about PRC through its community members thrive as a whole person – not just immediate partnerships in that city and called it, “a visible community needs like the food pantry and emergency rent, but also job supporter of people in need.” She attended PRC’s holiday luncheon assistance and art.” in December 2019, and was able to hear firsthand how PRC Anjali brings an extensive network of foundation colleagues as well impacts the community. as community involvement in the western suburbs to PRC. She “I am a longtime advocate for underserved populations, including currently volunteers with the League of Women Voters – Downers youth and families,” she said. “I believe deeply in helping others, Grove Woodridge and Lisle chapter and serves as Treasurer on my community and creating a better society for everyone.” the parent-led board of Rosehill Montessori School in Lisle. Marsha sits on the Advisory Board for the Illinois Diversity Council, “I believe community service is our civic duty. I was honored to and volunteers with the Cristo Rey Network Study Program, which be asked to join PRC’s Board and look forward to playing a part serves high school students with limited economic resources. in furthering its mission,” she said. In her time off Marsha enjoys spending time with family, reading The Downers Grove resident enjoys DIY home improvement and being outdoors, especially in the beautiful mountains of her projects, reading and community activism. She lives with her home state of New Mexico. husband, Scott Honey, daughter Lily and their dog, Piper. We welcome her to the PRC Board.
Welcome to PRC!
James Orel “I desire an opportunity to assist those who are going through difficult times, and PRC is an organization that offers hope to people in crisis,” said new Board Member James Orel. “I’m motivated to volunteer due to my Christian faith as well as a strong desire to give back.”
and has spent a decade as a Judge in DuPage County. He has spent six years on the Board for the Caring Network – three of them as Chairman - and over 20 years as a Board Member for the Hobson Road Community Church. They are both located in Downers Grove.
James has 26 years of experience as a Civil Litigation Attorney
Looking forward to having him on our Board!
If you are interested in joining the People’s Resource Center’s Team, please go to our website to view current openings. www.peoplesrc.org/employment-opportunities 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
SAVE THE DATE! Race to the Flag 5K May 30, 2021
The Refurbishing Lab is Back!
The PRC Refurbishing program reopened with limited hours in November 2020 and has already given away 80 free computers. “Since we closed down our Computer Refurbishing and Repair last March, we received numerous calls from clients in need of a computer at home,” said John Victor, Computer Refurbishing Program Coordinator. “It broke my heart that we couldn’t help them. We are thankful for the volunteers who agreed to help restart the program.”
The program takes donated computers and wipes out all its data before installing licensed copies of Microsoft Windows and Office. They are distributed to neighbors free of charge. Clients who need their computer repaired – a free service pre-Covid – can now obtain a refurbished one from the lab. PRC is not doing computer repairs at this time. To continue to provide this important service, PRC is asking for computer donations. (PC’s only.) “With the pandemic, our traditional sources of larger donations have not been available,” John explained. “We estimate that our current computer inventory will be depleted in a few months unless we receive additional donations at our PRC Wheaton location, 201 S. Naperville Road.” To see what type of PC we accept, go to the PRC website at https:// www.peoplesrc.org/give-food-or-goods/#. Donation hours are also listed on the website at peoplesrc.org.