Housed in the basement of the First United Church, the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry has been a source of emergency food for families in need since the 1970's.
In 2009, demand peaked. The pantry responded by providing meat, dairy and produce to 11,088 families — that's 40,422 people, organizers said.
While demand at the pantry has increased, so too have the fundraising efforts of the pantry's leaders, who partner with a host of religious and civic groups to provide the food.