Crystal Lake Preparing for Community Harvest Tomorrow

Working from a spacious 18,000-square-foot location, volunteers on Monday were busy unloading, weighing and sorting donations in preparation for the Community Harvest.

This year's harvest is from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving day - at the former Oak Industries, 100 S. Main St. in Crystal Lake.

The Community Harvest is a time when volunteers gather to pack donations for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry that will be used through the winter months.

It is coordinated by the joint efforts of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Lake Jaycees and the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. 

Last year, nearly 1,000 people turned out Thanksgiving morning to help. 

"We're hoping we get as many people," said Community Harvest chairperson Judy Pelinski. "We've got a bigger space to work with this year so if we get a lot of people, we will get the job done faster."

And while the donations appeared to be coming in at a steady pace, Pelinski said she's always nervous until she knows for sure they've gathered enough supplies.

"There are more people using the Crystal Lake Food Pantry than ever before," Pelinski said. "People think with the economy getting better that demand has gone done, but it hasn't. "

Cate Williams, president of the Food Pantry Board, said the Crystal Lake Food Pantry is serving 800 families per month. Those families visit two times each month, and the fastest growing user group is seniors over 60 years old, she said.   

"We've also adjusted some of our portions to accommodate people who were impacted when the SNAPS donations (food stamps) were cut back on Nov. 1st," Williams said. 

And while the need for the pantry's services are growing, the Crystal Lake community is stepping up.

An anonymous donor has already offered to supply a year's worth of milk. Only families with children under the age of 10 can receive milk, and the pantry currently distributes 48 gallons each week, Williams said.

The Crystal Lake Library, an honorary partner of the Community Harvest, collected a record $7,300 for the Community Harvest through its Fine Forgiveness program.

Snap-On Tools collected a record 4,455 pounds worth of donations, and also made a generous monetary donation. 

"And our Crystal Lake Chamber network groups have really stepped up their donations," Pelinski said. "We're at record donation totals from our chamber donors." 

Pelinksi said Home State Bank graciously allowed this year's Community Harvest to use the former Oak Industries site. (Volunteers should enter the building from the north entrance, which is located off Crystal Lake Avenue near the railroad tracks). 

Another honorary partner, Star 105.5, has held three food drives and has been continuously promoting the Community Harvest on air for days, Pelinski said.

"We are so thankful for them," Pelinski said. "They have really joined our cause. There is no way as a not-for-profit that we could afford to advertise this event." 

Anyone wanting to lend a hand at the Community Harvest should go to the 100 S. Main St. location from 8 to 11 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.

More information about the Community Harvest is available on the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce website.