Sustain DuPage Food Security Squad
Our goal is to connect Sustain DuPage gardeners/growers with local food pantries that support DuPage County residents in need, while building community ties and reducing food waste.
Donation of Excess Garden-Grown Vegetables & Herbs
Excess, locally grown, organic produce is picked up weekly from the Sustain DuPage Garden site and delivered to local food pantries the following day, from mid-July through late October. Sustain DuPage members are encouraged to drop off extra produce from their home gardens. This produce will be combined with any excess from the Sustain DuPage Garden site for a group donation.
As you plan your garden for this year, please consider planting an extra row or a few extra plants of veggies/herbs that can be donated to the FSS project, knowing it will help support our local food pantries with fresh, organic food.
Fresh Vegetable & Herb Donations
All vegetable & herb donations are picked up on Wednesdays between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm and then brought to one of the following food pantries the next day:
Glen House Pantry in Glen Ellyn
People’s Resource Center in Wheaton
When donating fresh items from the garden, please remember the following:
Wipe off any soil or dew
Do not wash (may promote decomposition)
Visually inspect each item for serious bruising, insect damage, and ripeness (overripe, mushy, or seriously blemished produce should not be donated)
Food & Spice Drives
We have a food drive in June to kick off our garden growing season. Cans, boxes, or containers of the following items are accepted:
Canned goods – fruits, veggies, and soups, especially low-salt or no sugar added
High Protein – peanut butter, tuna, beans, and canned chicken, chili, or stew
Whole Grains – whole wheat pasta, brown rice, cereal
Household Items – disposable diapers, bar soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, laundry detergent
No fresh or refrigerated items at the food drive, please.
During October, as produce production slows and the holiday season approaches, we are collecting donations of spice jars to benefit our local food pantries.
Spices have been used for centuries, both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Spices not only enhance the flavor, aroma, and color of food, but they may also boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and help fight disease.
Tomato Seedling Grow Out & Donation
Do you like to grow tomatoes from seeds? Would you like to be part of a group that supplies tomato seedlings for our food pantry neighbors to grow at their homes? If yes, you would be a perfect fit for this springtime project. In past years, we have made an annual donation of over 600 seedlings to the People’s Resource Center (in Wheaton) and the Glen House Food Pantry (in Glen Ellyn).
We ask volunteers to grow seedlings for this project at their homes. FSS will provide the tomato seeds for planting. Volunteers provide the potting soil, containers, and compassion for their food pantry neighbors. The tentative schedule for the project is:
Early March – arrange for pickup/delivery of tomato seeds from the FSS team member
Mid to late March – plant tomato seeds indoors
Late April – transplant tomato seedlings to bigger pots, if needed
Early to mid-May – arrange to drop off seedlings with FSS team member
Group Volunteer Dates at Local Food Pantries
We coordinate several dates throughout the year to volunteer as a group at the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton. These dates are on a Saturday morning, when clients come to shop for food for their families. Our volunteers help by packing bags/boxes with food, filling carts, and loading food into cars.
For this opportunity, we must ask that all volunteers be:
Able to be active for the entirety of the shift
Able to lift bags of groceries
At least 13 years of age
Willing to work inside or out as may be necessary
Food Security Resources
Find out how DuPage County food pantries are making a difference through the Community Hunger Network.
Local food pantries that the Food Security Squad supports:
For finding food pantries nearby: Find a Local Food Pantry
Help fight hunger around the world by visiting World Hunger Day.