On Valentine’s Day, we express our love to the special people in our lives. One way to do that is to make a donation to the Food Pantry in honor of someone you love or care about. An acknowledgement of your gift will be sent to the honoree, and you will receive a thank you in the mail.

Unemployment remains high in our area, and many people with jobs have had their hours cut. These facts contribute to a steady increase in the number of people who need assistance from the Food Pantry to feed their families. Monthly client numbers average between 60 to 70 families and singles. We expect this num-ber to steadily grow until the economy starts to turn around. Your prayer, support, and donations are keeping up with the increased need and we appreciate the many ways in which you provide assistance to those who need it.

Beginning February 1st, representatives from AARP will be at the Geneseo Public Library to assist people with tax preparation. They will be available every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 1:00-4:00 pm, through April 11. This service is provided free of charge.

In February and March we will continue our focus of encouraging clients to make wise choices to stretch what little food dollars they may have. Betty Gavin, University of Illinois Extension Outreach Representative, is periodically available when clients come to pick up food. Betty pro-vides low-cost recipe ideas using ingredients that the Food Pantry has available. She also takes a minute to speak personally with each client. It is challenging to consistently find low-cost nutritional foods that all members of the family enjoy, and people appreciate Betty’s help.

If your closets have too many clothes and not enough space, you might consider donating outgrown or no longer needed clothing items to the Food Pantry. We especially need baby and children’s clothing of all sizes. We also take household items. We have an on-going need for items such as kitchen utensils, pots and pans, plates, cups, silverware, etc. Your help is appreciated!