HAZEL CREST, Ill. (WBBM) -- The soft economy has driven more people to food pantries for help. But has WBBM’s suburban bureau chief Julie Mann reports, what happens when the people providing the assistance need help as well?
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For more than 20 years Loquator Dinkens has been providing two weeks of groceries for anyone who needs it through her Hazel Crest food pantry. She says she serves about 70 people a day in the south suburbs and its a number that's on the rise.
"So many people depend on us for food" said Dinkens. Dinkens stocks her food pantry using $2000 in donations a month. She has often reached into her own pocket to make up any monthly shortfall, ensuring that everyone who shows up doesn't go away hungry.
She says rising operating cost have now threaten to close the food pantry and she is left with a terrible decision.
"I'll keep feeding the people who are hungry and show up here. I'll find a way but I'm not going to stop" Dinkens said.
Dinkens remains hopeful her story will inspire others to get involved and perhaps generate answers to the calls for help she's made to feed the hunger she sees everyday and may now be forced to turn away.
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