By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.com Several local Scout troops and packs participated in the Scouting for America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) “Scouting for Food” campaign in early March. This annual community and national effort takes place over two weekends, with the first weekend used to distribute fliers and the second to collect donations. In early […]
Pause in SNAP benefits means more people seeking help By Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.com A few minutes before 9 a.m. on Halloween morning, a young man was among the dozen people waiting outside in the chilly air for the Woodstock Food Pantry to open. It was Jonathan’s first visit to the food pantry. Six weeks earlier, […]
By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.com In 2024, the food pantry had to turn away 81,000 pounds of donated food, valued at $157,261, from local grocers and stores because of lack of inventory space. The pantry’s current 1,500-square-foot location at 1033 Lake Ave., in the Dorr Township building, has limited food storage area and lacks enough floor space […]
Board members and volunteers of the Woodstock Food Pantry acknowledge the community’s ongoing support, reporting 2023 food donations of nearly 76,000 pounds and monetary donations of nearly $95,000. That allowed the pantry to serve 11,485 people through the last calendar year. In fact, the pantry is so successful it has outgrown its space at the […]
Spring and summer food donations bring many pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Woodstock Food Pantry. Through the year the pantry received many shelf stable donations from individuals, school clubs, civic and church groups, and church ministries. In addition, local stores like Panera, Menards, and Aldi Food Store contribute fresh food regularly, while […]
Moose Lodge, Opera House, Boy Scouts, and Difference Makers were donors to the Woodstock Food Pantry during the past month. “I am in awe of the generosity of our local organizations “said Carolyn O’Leary, the pantry’s first vice president. The pantry is counting on that generosity to fill the void left by the end this […]
Tour construction zone inside Old Courthouse Plan to get a little dirty at the Dusty Boots Tour at the Old Courthouse, 101 N. Johnson St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30. The building, along with the Sheriff’s House, is undergoing final stages of an $18 million restoration and renovation that is scheduled […]
The Woodstock Food Pantry has two new services – children’s diapers and extended hours. Current hours for clients are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But many potential clients were not able to come during those hours because of their work schedules, so the pantry’s Board of Directors recently approved extended […]
When Santa’s Hut, located in the Park in the Square every Christmas season, was in disrepair, the Rotary Club of Woodstock stepped up to carry out needed renovations. And the club added a new feature this year: an “Elf Hut” for Santa’s helpers. The former Woodstock Lions Club originally provided the Santa Hut, which has […]
Many local outreach programs serve Woodstock neighbors in need, but several recent food donations were unusual. The Woodstock Food Pantry is now distributing frozen pork from a pig that was donated by American Community Bank. The bank bought the pig at the 4-H auction at the recent McHenry County Fair. Chris Dahm of Dahm Trucking […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
