URGENT UPDATE: The St. Blase Food Pantry in Summit, Illinois, is stepping up to provide critical assistance as families face the harsh reality of choosing between paying rent and buying food. With skyrocketing living costs, local residents are turning to this essential community resource for support.
Aubrey Lewandowski, a mother of four, shared her struggle: “Everything’s just getting more and more expensive,” she stated. Recently laid off, Lewandowski faced the difficult decision of whether to pay her rent or feed her children. “If it weren’t for this pantry, we wouldn’t have eaten,” she confessed, highlighting the dire situation many families are confronting.
ABC7’s annual Feed the Love campaign is rallying support to aid local food banks, and Val Warner’s visit to St. Blase sheds light on the pressing needs of families like Lewandowski’s. The food pantry, located in the basement of St. Blase Church, operates under the auspices of Catholic Charities and the Albertine Sisters. It has been a lifeline for the community for over 20 years.
Every week, the pantry serves between 80 to 90 people on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, while providing hot meals on Wednesdays. Sister Patricia Brynirska, a dedicated volunteer, emphasized the growing challenge of meeting demand: “Sometimes they cannot match their needs because of the high price for everything,” she explained.
As families like Lewandowski’s rely on these services, the emotional toll is palpable. “Every week, I’m looking at which bill needs to be paid first,” she said. “Do I pay my utility bills? Do I pay my rent? Do I get food?” The St. Blase Food Pantry offers her reassurance in these uncertain times. “I know that we will not go hungry with organizations like this,” Lewandowski affirmed.
With the ongoing increase in food prices, the need for community support has never been more urgent. The local food pantry is an indispensable resource, providing essential staples like pasta, sauce, vegetables, and fresh fruit to families struggling to make ends meet.
As the Feed the Love campaign gears up, community members are encouraged to donate and support local food banks. The time to act is NOW, as families across Summit and beyond continue to navigate the difficult choices brought on by the rising cost of living.
What happens next? The St. Blase Food Pantry will continue to serve the community, but it needs additional support to keep up with demand. As the situation develops, local families will be watching closely, hoping for a future where they won’t have to choose between rent and food.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent issue affecting countless families.
