LANSING | The Chicago Southland hospitality industry is helping lead the way this year in South-Southwest Suburban United Way’s annual April Food Day.
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau and 19 hotels throughout the Chicago Southland region in 11 municipalities are now collecting food through April 18. For a map of drop-off locations, visit: http://goo.gl/maps/nrhGx
On April 18, all the collected food will be taken to the Lincoln Mall, 208 Lincoln Mall Drive, in Matteson from 10 to 2 p.m., with a small thank you event afterwards. The food will then be packed up and shipped to Respond Now in Chicago Heights, an emergency help 501(c)(3) agency that has served the southern suburbs of Chicago for more than 40 years.
Local food pantries estimate demands for food and toiletries have more than doubled in the past five years. While many individuals think of food pantries during the winter months, need is typically higher in spring and summer as donations decrease and supplies diminish.
“We know the hospitality industry has an impact on the economy of the Chicago Southland, and through this partnership with South-Southwest Suburban United Way, the Chicago Southland hotels will have a significant positive social impact as well,” said Jim Garrett, president/CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We encourage Chicago Southland residents to help make this food drive a big success.”
The South-Southwest Suburban United Way’s April Food Day benefits local food pantries across the organization’s six-county footprint including Kane, Cook, McHenry, Will, DuPage and Lake Counties. For more information, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/aprilfoodday
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