The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry is open: Mondays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Fridays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Food is distributed, and donations are gratefully accepted during business hours. We also have collection boxes in the vestibule at Fareway and at Inspire Continuing Care for donations. The Clothing room is open to all residents of Geneseo and Atkinson on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Food Pantry will be closed on March 29 in observance of Good Friday.
The Food Pantry partners with Unity Point to provide two Foot Care Clinics to the public each month. Nurses soak feet, trim and file toenails, help with ingrown toenails, and give a light foot massage with lotion. Please call 309-944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment. Cost is $37 but Food Pantry guests are given a voucher.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food assistance to 209 households in January. Combined food distributions in January were equivalent to 6,181 meals. Thanks to the many donors who make all this possible!
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital taught a free Heart Health class on February 8 in the Matthew 25 Center at the Food Pantry. Guests were provided with recipes for lower cost healthy dishes, a cooking demonstration, and free samples of healthy food. The Dietitians will be back to teach a Heart Healthy Cooking Class on March 5 at 10:00, and the public is invited.
Have a suggestion for the Food Pantry? What services are you in need of? We want to hear it! Come to our Guest Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 1:00-2:00.
Birth to Five Illinois will present a free informational session where you can learn: What is the meaning behind my child’s challenging behaviors? How can I set age-appropriate limits? Where do I find additional resources? Join us Monday, March 25, 5:00-6:00 at the Food Pantry.
As the weather starts to warm up, the clothing room is in need of Men’s and Women’s clothing in sizes Small and Medium, along with Men’s and Women’s socks. The Food Pantry accepts any size of clothing, accessories, kitchenware, decorations, books, games, toys, movies, and other household items.
Hilari Wilkens
Carla Lee
Our Volunteer of the Month, Carla Lee, has been volunteering at the Food Pantry for two years. She helps in the clothing room and in the toy room at Christmas time. Carla has been married to Andy since March 2002, and they have a spoiled cat named Buddy. Carla enjoys doing crafts, working at craft sales, and volunteering at the St. Malachy gift shop. She said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is that it makes her feel good volunteering and paying back some of the help she has received over the years. Carla enjoys seeing faces she knows and the happy faces when people come to choose clothes and Christmas gifts. Thank you for all you do for the Food Pantry, Carla!
Hilari Wilkens is our new student intern and will be completing her internship at the Food Pantry until May of 2024. She is a Senior at Western Illinois University and is studying toward a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Hilari is from the Quad Cities and plans to work in either the Quad Cities or Geneseo area once she graduates in May of 2024. Hilari enjoys traveling, volunteering, and spending time with my friends and family.
Food Needs: Cereal, pasta, and condiments.
Non-food needs: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dish soap, and other cleaning supplies.