Jersey Mike's Offers Free Sub for Every $2 Food Pantry Donation

Jersey Mike's is taking a bite out of hunger.

Anyone visiting Jersey Mike's sub shops in Crystal Lake or Lake in the Hills with the necessary coupon in hand will receive a free regular-sized submarine sandwich when making a $2 donation to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

The coupon is available on the Crystal Lake Food Pantry website. Print it off and visit Jersey Mike's any time during regular business hours from Monday, June 18 to Thursday, June 21, to get a free, regular sized sub sandwich and help the pantry with a $2 donation.

Jersey Mike's is located at 5006 Route 14 in Crystal Lake, and at 285 N. Randall Rd. in Lake in the Hills.

Crystal Lake Food Pantry board volunteer Tricia Nasta said inspiration for the program came from Jersey Mike's. 

"They offered, and we ran with it," Nasta said.

Anyone who brings in a food item to donate to the pantry to Jersey Mike's will receive a "Buy one sandwich, get one sandwich free" coupon for a future visit, Nasta said.

The Crystal Lake Food Pantry is located at 257 King St., Crystal Lake.

July Ice Cream Campaign Puts Freeze on Hunger

Nasta said the Crystal Lake Food Pantry also has coordinated the "Let's Put the Freeze on Hunger" campaign for July. Local businesses have committed to donating a portion of their proceeds from select calendar days to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

The calendar is posted on the Crystal Lake Food Pantry website.

Participating restaurants include:

Yumz, 5006 Route 14, Crystal Lake, most Mondays in July.

Kaleidoscoops, 53 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, Tuesdays in July.

JuliAnn's Custard, 6500 Route 14, Crystal Lake, Fridays in July.

Culver's, 501 Pingree Rd., Crystal Lake, see calendar for dates.

McDonald's restaurants at 551 Crystal Point Dr. and 7617 Route 14 in Crystal Lake have generously offered to donate a percentage of their sales from every ice cream cone sold in July and August to the food pantry.

The Crystal Lake Food Pantry serves 650 to 750 families per month, Nasta said. The need for the service has not decreased. The pantry needs canned chili, canned chicken and tuna, cereal, pasta and personal care items such as soap, tissues and feminine products.