Community partners with Old Stone Church Food Pantry to assure local families have a happier holiday season

At the core of the holiday season is giving and showing generosity toward others. Community groups and organizations in the Stateline continue to live by these ideals year-round.

Through the Old Stone Church pantry, a total of 98 boxes were filled with more than enough donated food for a Thanksgiving meal and extras.

Lovingly placed in the baskets were the fixings to make a full Thanksgiving meal. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, fruits, vegetables, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and a few surprise treats were included for families.

In addition to these baskets, recipients were able to choose between ham and turkey to complete the main course.

This long-time tradition benefits families in the Hononegah Community High School and South Beloit districts.

Boxes were filled by around 50 volunteers on the Wednesday night prior to distribution. The day of giving these to local families involved the efforts of around an additional 18 volunteers, all of whom work alongside Pantry Director Donn VanSchelven regularly.

Each volunteer fills a box with non-perishable foods, canned goods, and extras. Each box is filled with thoughtfulness and care.

After the boxes are packed, they are brought outside. Cars line up, and families are presented with a meal as volunteers load boxes into vehicles.

Joining in these efforts were the Rockton American Legion, Miss Andrea's Dance Factory, Old Stone Preschool, and Roscoe Christ our Savior Church. Don't Be Next, led by several former Hononegah students, made a major financial donation to help cover Thanksgiving and Christmas for families in need.

The Rockton PTO hosted a “Stuff the Bus” event.

Volunteers unloaded donations of non-perishable items and turkeys from cars and filled a bus. Teaming up on this mission was First Student, which provided the bus and donated vouchers for turkeys.

“We have several dozen wonderful donors to our food pantry, those recognized here are the ones who contributed to our Thanksgiving baskets,” Old Stone Church Pantry Director Donn VanSchelven said.
“Without these donations, many would not have Thanksgiving dinner.”

VanSchelven started the tradition of Thanksgiving basket distribution in 1994. “Since the beginning, we have always had the most generous group of donors from this community, that it's unbelievable,” Van Schelven said.

“We don't receive anything from the government or the food bank. We rely solely on the kindness of churches, schools, businesses, service groups, and citizens themselves. They have all been amazingly loyal for 31.5 years. There are no words to describe the greatness of this community.”

Volunteer Bonnie Estrada reflected on this experience,

“I have been helping with Thanksgiving baskets (really a large box) at Old Stone Church, along with other volunteers, for many years.

This year, due to government changes, more people have needed assistance. Without the help from the community for donations of food, money contributions, and volunteer help to unload, pick up, sort items (including checking expiration dates), and put baskets together, it would be impossible to provide help when it is needed.”

Estrada adds, “For the small part I play, as a volunteer, I am glad to have the opportunity to help and be part of a community-wide need. Thanksgiving is only once a year, but OSC provides a pantry opportunity every week for those in need of assistance.”

The pantry has a rich history:

“In 1984, Stateline Ministries approached us and gave us 10 days to come up with $6000,” said VanSchelven. “Friends and the community came through, and the money was raised.”

Today, food and cash donations roll in consistently, keeping the pantry alive and feeding the community.

In addition to these Thanksgiving boxes, the Pantry serves the Stateline area by offering food
with a gallon of milk, medical and health advice, and Christmas baskets.

Children of families who have difficulty buying groceries on the weekends are serviced in a unique manner. Through a backpack program, children from Rockton Grade School and Stephen Mack receive backpacks full of basic food items to take home.

The program has been ongoing since 2011.
Backpacks are sent home with kids in grades K-12 who don’t have food at home on the weekends. These backpacks are given to schools on Thursdays.

The pantry serves residents in Rockton, Roscoe, Shirland, Harrison, and South Beloit. Requirements to receive groceries include a valid state identification card or driver’s license, along with proof of current residency.

The pantry currently serves 55-60 families per week, or more as needed. They are open on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Since both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on a Thursday, the pantry will be open on Tuesday, Dec. 30 instead.

Year-round, the Old Stone Church food pantry provides local residents with food, medical advice, and other necessities.

Volunteer Wendy Eltman said, “In all the years that I have volunteered at the pantry, I have never seen so many wonderful donations. Businesses and schools and other people truly came together in this time of need, with their support and generosity. We are truly blessed to live in this amazing community!”