The Collinsville Food Pantry is continuing to operate during the pandemic.  Our St. Vincent DePaul Society is closed and members are working with the food pantry, including taking over SVDPS clients. The Food Pantry has stopped receiving any donations from the community to try and limit exposure and the passing of the virus on donated items.

The Food Pantry requests only monetary donations so it can order in bulk directly from the warehouse to limit the number of people who come into contact with the food items.

To donate go to https://collinsvillefoodpantry.org/ and scroll down until you see the DONATE button. Or you can always mail a check to Collinsville Food Pantry, 201 E. Church, Collinsville, IL 62234.

Pantry days are Tuesdays and Fridays as before, but patrons have been limited to once a month instead of twice to limit exposure.  Patrons are not being allowed to shop. They give their name at the door and are handed their food through the door. They are not allowed in the building.

Volunteers and employees are limited to 10 per the rules.  Between the employees and their regular volunteers, this has been adequate so far.

Since March 13 (the first Pantry Day after the 10 person rule) through March 24 (represents three Pantry Days), the Food Pantry has serviced 200 families representing 383 people.  This equates to the number served in a whole month!

The homeless people in town are being provided sack meals M-F at both the Township Office and the Food Pantry.  The Food Pantry is providing sack meals to every patron and the number of people living in their home on pantry days. Although this isn’t the hot meal our patrons are used to at S.O.S., they are at least getting a meal.

Please keep Angel, Micaela, Tony, and all the Food Pantry volunteers in your prayers. They are on the front line trying their best to meet the needs of people in our community.  Also keep their patrons in your prayers as this is such a scary time, especially when you do not know when your next meal is coming.