Lawyers and staff with Lavelle Law in Schaumburg have been hosting a local food drive for 21 years, but this year, more than ever, its donation of food, diapers and financial assistance came at a critical time, officials with Schaumburg Township officials say.
Not only are the holidays approaching, but with the government shutdown and the possibility of SNAP benefits drying up Nov. 1, the demand from clients is skyrocketing.
“This week, we’ve seen a huge increase in walk-ins to our food pantry,” says Marianne Rogenski, Supervisor of Program Support Services for Schaumburg Township. “It’s three times what it normally is and all with people needing emergency food.”
Last week, employees of Lavelle Law rolled up their sleeves and delivered all the food donations from its month-long drive at 19 collection sites — located in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Arlington Heights, Palatine and Rolling Meadows — as well as six pallets of food on the trailer.
Schaumburg Township Supervisor Tim Henegan, center, accepts a check Lavelle Law
They also delivered $13,000 worth of groceries, which they were able to purchase at a discounted price from Tony’s Fresh Market, as well as a check for more than $11,000 in cash contributed from the collection sites.
“It’s our largest food drive every year,” Rogenski says. “The sheer number of food donated, plus the check to buy more staples for the food pantry and in-kind donations, it’s easily the largest drive for us.”
Attorney Ted McGinn says Lavelle Law is committed to meeting needs in the Northwest suburbs. He points to the start of the food drive, back in 2004, when the firm was located in Palatine. All donations then were earmarked for the Palatine Township food pantry. Later, they added another drive for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry, located in Arlington Heights.
When the firm moved to Schaumburg in 2017, its attorneys and staff revamped the food drive to benefit the Schaumburg Township food pantry.
“Our goal is to help bring food, dignity and hope to those who are at risk of hunger,” says McGinn, who joined with his colleagues on Oct. 24 to unload trucks and deliver food to the pantry. “We are so grateful for the support of the community that always pitches in to support our efforts.”
Over the last three years, numbers of clients visiting the Schaumburg Township food pantry has nearly doubled, Rogenski says. The food pantry now serves 1,300 households per month — or more than 4,000 people — up from 7,000 three years ago.
As it is, Schaumburg Township serves a wide area in the Northwest suburbs, including parts of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Roselle, Streamwood, Elk Grove Village and Rolling Meadows, or more than 100,000 people.
“It’s been a very busy time for us,” Rogenski says, “but seeing them pull up with so many donations, and so many of them helping out, well, it just put a smile on our faces.”
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