The Woodridge Park District's Athletic Recreation Center is pulling double duty as a food donation drop-off site for two drives in November.

Collection bins are set up in the ARC lobby at 8201 Janes Ave., according to a Woodridge Park District announcement posted Tuesday, Nov. 3. Residents can drop off nonperishable items during regular visits to the facility.

The first drive, Harvest Week, began Sunday, Nov. 1, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 8. Organized by West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP), it collects food for families in DuPage and Will Counties facing food insecurity.

WSCP's most needed items are canned tuna, canned chicken, cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, rice and pasta.

The ARC is one of several area drop-off sites for Harvest Week. Others in the coverage area include the Downers Grove Park District Recreation Center at 4500 Belmont Rd., the Downers Grove Park District Lincoln Center at 935 Maple Ave., Culver's at 2500 Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove, Skeleton Key Brewery at 8102 Lemont Rd. #300 in Woodridge, St. Luke Church at 5235 Fairview Ave. in Downers Grove and the Woodridge Public Library at 3 Plaza Dr., according to Patch.

Maeven Sipes, identified by Patch as WSCP's CEO, said in a statement that "every can, box, and bag you donate helps fill a plate and brings comfort to a neighbor facing food insecurity."

Winterfest Food Drive follows Nov. 16

A second drive picks up the week after Harvest Week ends. The Winterfest Food Drive, hosted by the Woodridge Human Relations Advisory Committee, accepts nonperishable food donations from Nov. 16 through Nov. 28 at three locations, according to the Village of Woodridge:

  • Village of Woodridge, 5 Plaza Drive
  • Woodridge Public Library, 3 Plaza Drive
  • Woodridge Park District ARC, 8201 Janes Ave.

Monetary and non-monetary donations will also be accepted at Woodridge Winterfest on Saturday, Nov. 21. The village website directs donors to look for the donation table near the heated food tent at the south end of the parking lot.

Winterfest itself is a free community event at Kagann Plaza at Woodridge Village Hall, 5 Plaza Drive, running from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event features photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live reindeer meet and greet, a makers market, food trucks and a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

Residents who want to make a monetary donation to WSCP can do so at wscpantry.org.

Upcoming community events

  • Harvest Week food drive drop-off: through Sunday, Nov. 8, at the ARC and other area locations
  • Winterfest Food Drive drop-off: Nov. 16 through Nov. 28, at the ARC, Woodridge Village Hall and Woodridge Public Library
  • Woodridge Winterfest: Saturday, Nov. 21, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Kagann Plaza at Woodridge Village Hall, 5 Plaza Drive