Food Pantry
The YPC Food Pantry services people in Elmhurst and the surrounding area on a weekly basis. Started in 1983 by some concerned people in the church who saw a need to help hungry people in their "own backyard," it has grown rom an infrequently used resource to one that now helps an average of 300 to 400 people a month.

Much of the food for the Pantry is purchased at Northern Illinois Food Bank at $.14 per pound. Because everything we need to fill the orders of 2 grocery bags per adult, 1 perchild, isn't always available at the food bank, other foods are purchased in case lots at discount places such as Aldi or Ultra Foods.

The Pantry is operated by volunteers from the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church with help from the community. In the past many area churches, schools, and businesses have supported the pantry with regular donations from food drives.

Many of our clients are among the chronically poor who use the food pantry on a monthly basis. Now, because of an increase in usage and decrease in donations, we are faced with limiting our availability. We are limiting families to a maximum of 6 bags per month. Regretfully, we have also had to reduce the amount and occasionally discontinue giving our Jewel gift certificates to people that receive groceries.

Monthly Food Pantry Day
The first Sunday of every month is "Food Pantry Day". Congregation members are encouraged to bring food to stock the YPC Food Pantry. (In these challenging economic times Food Pantry usage continues to be at record levels.) Look for the container in the Lobby, or deliver your donations directly to the Food Pantry in the basement of the "Cottage" before or after worship. Look for a friendly Food Pantry Volunteer to assist you.

Here is a list of the items preferred:

Canned goods
Fruit
Vegetables
Soup
Gravy
Applesauce