Local Companies and Schools Brighten Thanksgiving for 300 DuPagePads Clients
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This week, 122 holiday meal bags were created for families and individuals in DuPagePads Supportive Housing apartments as a result of a generous food drive organized by Villa Park Office Equipment. Holiday meal bags are being delivered this week, along with a $25 Jewel gift card for each household, donated by First Trust Portfolios.
This is the fourth year that Villa Park Office Equipment has organized a holiday food drive. However, this year the company decided to enlist support of local schools: Ardmore Elementary School in Villa Park and Lisle Junior High School.
These efforts made the food drive the company’s largest and most successful one yet collecting more than $2,167 in gift cards and donations for the holidays, and over 2,400 food items.
“In just five days, the students of Lisle Junior High school were able to collect over 550 food item, $100 in gift cards and more,” says Annette Hernandez, Vice President of Villa Park Office Equipment, “The outburst of participation from both schools was truly remarkable and I can’t thank them enough for their significant generosity to those who are less fortunate.”
The holiday meal bags are being delivered to tenants in DuPagePads Supportive Housing apartments. This program provides subsidized housing for those that had been homeless for a year or longer and have a documented disability or disabling health condition.
Program participants receive ongoing case management from DuPagePads which improves their health, assists them in become acclimated to their community and stabilizes their lives, with more than 87% having been housed for a year or longer.
Additionally, last year this program saved taxpayers $3.5 million, as people are not using the expensive justice or health systems.
Clients in this program are living on tight budgets, so the holiday meal bag donations are highly anticipated and appreciated.
“This holiday meal bag donation has everything I need to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for my family, from mashed potatoes to green bean casserole, even a Jewel gift card to get the turkey!
In this holiday centered around gratitude, I can’t thank DuPagePads and their supporters enough for helping me carry on our family traditions,” says Michele, a DuPagePads Supportive Housing tenant.
Looking to assist families and individuals who are homeless this holiday season?
Learn about the many ways to make a difference here.