November is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. It's a time to draw attention to the issues of food insecurity and lack of shelter, and to encourage action and support for those experiencing these challenges. That’s why the Freeport Public Library is collecting food donations for the FACC Food Pantry all month long. 

Why is this important? 

Hunger and homelessness are critical issues affecting millions of people in the United States. These conditions can have a devastating impact on individuals and families, leading to health problems, limited opportunities, and increased vulnerability. Raising awareness helps to highlight the urgency of these issues and encourages communities to work together to find solutions. 

Approximately 1.5 million people in Illinois struggle with food insecurity, which represents about 1 in 8 residents. This includes a disproportionate number of children, with estimates suggesting one in six children in the state are food insecure. 

You can make a difference!

Bring shelf-stable food donations to the library to support the FACC Food Pantry. As the seasons change, more items are needed. FACC has specifically asked for the following food donations to help keep their shelves stocked. Each week we will be focusing on priority items, so check your kitchen for the following:

Week One (Nov 1 – 8) Peanut Butter & Jelly 
This week we are looking for jars of peanut butter and jellies, jams, and preserves. 

Week Two (Nov 9 – 15) Macaroni/Pasta 
This week we are looking for dried pasta, noodles, and macaroni. 

Week Three (Nov 16 – 22) Sauces 
This week we are looking for a variety of canned or jarred pasta sauces. 

Week Four (Nov 23 – 30) Soup 
This week we are looking for a variety of canned or jarred soups. 

Reminders 

Food donations must be shelf-stable and unopened. Any and all donations are welcome at any time throughout the month of November. The weekly theme is just in place to encourage patrons to donate the items FACC has specifically mentioned needing more of. 

If you are unable to donate food, check out these other ways you can make a difference in Illinois. 

Volunteer - Find a food bank in your community! Help give your neighbors a hand up by volunteering at your local food bank. 

Become an Advocate - To make progress toward ending hunger in Illinois, we need to make sure our lawmakers in Washington are fighting for those struggling back home. You can help make sure they see how great the need is in Illinois – call on lawmakers to make ending hunger a priority. Check out Feeding America’s website for more information.

Questions? Call 815.233.3000