Huntley Trustee Donates Part of Salary to Food Pantries

Huntley Village Trustee Nick Hanson recognizes a lot of ordinary, hard-working people are still having trouble making financial ends meet.

In talking with friends and associates, Hanson came to the realization that people he never suspected of needing assistance were relying on help from local food pantries.

“There’s a different demographic of people using food pantries these days,” said Hanson, who was elected to the Huntley Village Board in April.

“People are still working, but they’re still having a tough time. I know people in the area who are not using just one of the local food pantries, but both.”

For that reason, Hanson decided to donate $1,000 each to the Grafton Food Pantry, 12191-B Smith Dr., and the Grafton Township Food Pantry, 10109 Vine St., Huntley. The $2,000 equals about 20 weeks salary from Hanson's village trustee position, he said.

This past Friday, Hanson presented a check to Grafton Food Pantry, and he has already written a check to Grafton Township Food Pantry, as well.

“I know residents who utilize both facilities, and I thought it was important to donate to both pantries,” Hanson said.

Hanson said he requested the money be used toward buying perishable items such as meat, milk, bread and produce. Friends who use the pantry services have told him that perishable items are hard to come by as many people donate canned goods, he said.

The food pantries work with local grocery stores to secure perishable items, and sometimes receive donations from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Hanson said.

“The perishable items are harder to come by especially through the holidays,” Hanson said. “That’s why I decided to donate, and hopefully people can get the items they need.”

Hanson has lived in Huntley for eight years with his wife, Tina, and two children.  

Grafton Food Pantry serves Huntley, Lakewood and portions of Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake and Algonquin. The pantry served 549 people in January, and up to 745 people in August, according to its website.