Spartan Food Pantry in Sycamore to host fundraiser Wednesday for St. Albans Green fire victims

SYCAMORE – Those still wishing to aid victims of the St. Albans Green fire are invited to a fundraiser at the Spartan Food Pantry on Wednesday, which also will hold additional pantry hours for the victims.

Those interested can drive through the bus lane at West Elementary School, 240 Fair St., from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for a gift card drive-thru. Immediately following, the pantry, which also offers personal items, will be open to people in need from 5 to 7 p.m.

Northern Illinois University Huskies will also be on hand Wednesday to help collect gift cards during the drive-thru.

Those looking for items from the pantry will be able to collect more than just food. Water, personal hygiene items, baby supplies, new socks and underwear and gently used or new clothing and shoes also will be available for pickup. Residents also can grab coupons for free back-to-school haircuts.

Atlee Mathews, food pantry founder, said her work providing assistance to her community has deeply affected her, and enforced her desire to become a social worker.

“As an entity that is working very closely with the Sycamore School District and district administration, we are intentionally listening to the needs of our families affected by the fires and catering our efforts to meet those indicated needs,” Mathews said.

Former residents came to grips with the stark reality that most or all of their possessions had been destroyed in a devastating fire at the 50,000-square-foot building at
711 S. Main St. that raged for hours Saturday. The building was condemned and about 120 people were displaced.