Free packages of holiday food will be available for pick up soon in Springfield thanks to the charity Friend-in-Deed.
The volunteer organization will distribute packages in a drive-through fashion on December 7 at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois, 300 S. 15th St., and on December 23 at Eastview Baptist Church, 2277 E. Black Ave.
“The food will be fresh, wholesome, and it will fit people’s needs,” said Friend-in-Deed president Jim Schaefer. “Our goal this year is to beef up those drive-up lines with volunteers to let people know we’re still here. “
Between 400 to 600 Friend-in-Deed volunteers delivered packages with food, toys, and clothing to homes before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volunteers and donations significantly decreased when restrictions set in so the organization partnered with Central Illinois Food Bank and local restaurants to continue its work.
“We made it through that and now we’re looking to where we can go in the future since we’ve been here over 60 years and still feel its a valuable process,” board member Robert Titone said. “Working with the foodbank and other community-focused groups has given us insight and certainly a lot of help.”
About 100 Friend-in-Deed volunteers will distribute packages during the drive-through dates this year, Titone said. He said packages will include essential food items.
“We’ve had folks make donations of books and other nice things that we were able to include and I’d like to get back to that, providing something to the kids and family,” Titone said. ” I want to get back to toys but, food is vital and toys are nice.”
Volunteers will also make hot food deliveries to senior citizens living in high rises with the help of the food bank and Arena Food service but the date is still in the works.
Timothy Kirsininkas, public relations manager of the Central Illinois Food Bank, said making an impact on families is what volunteers are looking forward to the most.
“We’re really grateful for the continued support of Friend-in-Deed in really helping to help distribute meals to families around our community for the holiday,” he said. “Last year we helped over 500 households with our distribution through the support of Friend-in-Deed and we’re looking forward to making an impact with them again.”
Donations of food boxes will not be accepted this year since Friend-in-Deed has partnered with the food bank. Titone said monetary donations are encouraged to help the organization continue its work.
“Donations would be great because after Christmas that’s when folks get really desperate because it’s cold and gas bills are high. People really need help so we just hope to fill a little gap during the holidays.”
For more information on how to get involved or to donate to Friend-in-Deed visit fid.sj-r.com. Contributions can also be mailed to Friend-in-Deed, P.O. Box 142, Springfield, IL 62705-0142.
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