2016 New Building Campaign for. Because No one should go hungry.

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1 2016 New Building Campaign for Because No one should go hungry.

2 Why does the Crystal Lake Food Pantry need a new building? When the Crystal Lake Food Pantry moved into their current facility nine years ago, they never anticipated the significant growth in clients or the increased access to extra food by partnering with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Specifically, a new building is needed because: o The reception room and shopping area are too small for the current number of clients that are served. o There is very limited storage and sorting area at the main pantry, approximately 800 square feet. o Grocers now donate even more fresh bread, produce, meats and dairy items. o There is limited freezer space at the main pantry, and they need to use five freezer units at a 2,000 square feet off-site storage location to hold the food that is received. This frozen food then has to be transported across town to be distributed to clients at the main pantry location. o Each year the pantry need to find a suitable space, with at least 10,000 square feet, to hold Community Harvest, their largest food drive. Solution: Moving to a new location, so we can feed more people! The Crystal Lake Food Pantry is excited to be moving to a new facility at 42 East Street, near Crystal Lake Avenue and Main Street. Being located near the center of Crystal Lake makes it easier for many of the pantry s clients to come for food assistance.

3 New Crystal Lake Food Pantry, at 42 East Street Features of the new Food Pantry Building that will help us feed our hungry neighbors: A 30,000 square feet building, compared to 3,500 square feet at the current facility. A 400 percent increase in freezer capacity and a 500 percent increase in refrigerator space. Increase in storage space and shelving for dry food and grocery products by 400 percent. A larger reception and shopping area for the clients. Additional loading/receiving room and space to reduce waste by utilizing washing and sanitation stations to repackage food, such as produce and containers with broken eggs. The Northern Illinois Food Bank, which is located in Geneva, would like the Crystal Lake Food Pantry to be a closer and more centralized distribution center of food for other McHenry County Food Pantries. Ability to offer meeting space for social service agency partnerships and community education. Meeting the needs of those who are hungry in our community. The Crystal Lake Food Pantry firmly believes that no one should have to live with the worry that they will not have enough food on the table to feed their family. The Crystal Lake Food Pantry has a very dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are seniors, who find helping each week gives them a strong sense of purpose and tremendous satisfaction serving others. Since 1982, the Crystal Lake Food Pantry has been providing food, with hope and dignity, to people in need in Crystal Lake and McHenry County. Just ten years ago, 40,000 pounds of food was distributed. The pantry now distributes more than 750,000 pounds annually. The number of neighbors who have needed the food pantry has also grown considerably, with 509 families being reached monthly in Currently 37% of those served are children. While the main focus is providing nutritious food assistance, there are new opportunities in the new building that directly benefit the community the pantry serves and the surrounding county. By providing office and meeting space to outside organizations, the pantry hopes to offer a onestop Community Care Center providing more than just food to sustain those in need. Examples of services that could be provided include legal assistance, job placement services, health care assistance, English as a second language (ESL) classes, tax preparation, and budgeting. This is a vital step towards helping the clients get back on their feet.

4 The Crystal Lake Food Pantry needs your help! This entire project will cost $1,250,000, which will allow the pantry to purchase and renovate the new facility and serve our neighbors who are hungry. While the pantry is grateful to have over $500,000 in reserve funds and assets, they do need your help to meet the goal! No One Should Go Hungry. Would you consider a contribution towards the goal of $750,000 to help with the 2016 Crystal Lake Food Pantry New Building Capital Campaign? Our anticipated costs associated with our new location: Needed funds to purchase building $200,000 Building upgrades and renovation $300,000 Equipment and installation $250,000 $750,000 The Crystal Lake Food Pantry is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. (Federal Tax ID. Number ) There are many ways you can donate: Mail a check, or donate online, to help fund the Capital Campaign To donate by mail, send your check to: Crystal Lake Food Pantry Building Fund c/o Crystal Lake Food Pantry P.O. Box 1071 Crystal Lake, IL 60039, or go to their website: to donate a one-time gift or an ongoing contribution. Make a pledge to donate funds The pantry would also accept a pledge over a three-year time period by filling out a pledge card and honoring your pledge to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

5 Making a difference for our neighbors who are hungry I started going to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry in about 1998 because my husband at the time left me and our three little girls. It was so hard for us then. Having three little ones to feed with no money and no job was so heart breaking to me. Then a friend told me about the food pantry. Every time I would go they made me feel good about myself. If I did not have the food pantry my girls and I would not have had food to eat. My girls would have gone to school hungry and as a mom that hurts. Thank God for this amazing place and amazing people that help others. Now that I am on my feet and now that I own Pablo s Mexican Restaurant I want to help this amazing place help others. Paying it forward on my part. Thank you so much Crystal Lake Food Pantry for who I am today and thanks for helping my kids and I. Jennifer and Fred Falbo I started visiting the food pantry back in 1989 when it was in the gas station at Route 176 and 14. My life has had many ups and downs over the years, along with three kids and a rocky marriage. The food pantry has been there in my time of need off and on throughout the years. I have met many wonderful people there. They always made me feel welcome and never looked down on me no matter what my situation was. Since we never know what life is going to hand us, I hope that they will be there if I ever need them and for the many people from Crystal Lake that may need a helping hand once in a while. Barbara Hanke In My husband Charles was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma. We were both devastated with the horrible diagnosis. I was unemployed and under a lot of stress wondering where my next meal was coming from. How we were going to pay our bills? My sister suggested I go to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. I went and to my surprise I was helped in very compassionate and caring manner. Hilary Hite

6 Mission Statement Governed by local Christian Churches, the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, through its volunteers, provides food and supplies to individuals and families in the Crystal Lake and McHenry County Areas who are in need. Crystal Lake Food Pantry Board of Churches The Crystal Lake Food Pantry has been a necessary resource to the community for over three decades providing food assistance, hope and dignity. The dedication to the community by the board made up of 20 local churches and their volunteers is shown not only by providing food, but through a renewed focus to finding new ways of reducing food waste, increasing opportunities, and creating new partnerships to reach those in need. The goal of the Crystal Lake Food Pantry is to offer a compassionate helping hand to assist many to get back on their feet or through a tough time in their lives. Bethany Lutheran Church Calvary Assembly of God Crystal Lake Christian Church Crystal Lake Christian Fellowship Church Evangelical Free Church First Baptist Church of Crystal Lake First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake Hope Covenant Church Immanuel Lutheran Church Living Waters Lutheran Church Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Resurrection Catholic Church Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church St. Mary Episcopal Church St. Paul s United Church of Christ St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Vineyard Christian of Crystal Lake Willow Crystal Lake