Farmers Weekly Review

Usually around this time of year, there’s some excitement over an annual event geared towards helping the community at large.

Hosted by Provision Lab, Inc., in collaboration with the Monee Alliance of Churches, “Action: Love Monee” was launched in 2017, and its goal remains the same: Making life a little easier for those who need it.

Although the event has previously been held during the summer, it won’t take place until early autumn this time.

“It will take place on October 7 instead,” said Kelly Detlaff, Economic Director for Provision Lab, Inc. “We changed the date of the event, honestly, because the heat is always an issue, as well as (getting) the volunteers. With the event in the middle of summer, it was always hard to get more volunteers.

Detlaff said this year’s event is “in the planning stages now,” and organizers are beginning to get the word out about the new date.

“So, hopefully, people are starting to hear that we are only changing slightly. We have also been telling our clients at the pantry.”

Action: Love Monee has drawn hundreds of participants since Second Place Church Pastor David Short set it in motion seven years ago, distributing free food and clothing, offering health care services, a blood drive, a job fair and more. This year’s event will include a cook-out.

“We will be adding a 5k to kick off the event with most likely a drive-thru food distribution,” Detlaff said. “Still looking at hair cuts (and other services).”

In addition to Action: Love Monee, Second Place Church is building a pantry, where clients will be able to choose items their families need, rather than pre-packaged boxes.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have many updates for a date opening right now. Construction is always a fun game to guess at,” Detlaff quipped.

“We manage the ones at the Village Hall , (5130 W. Court St.), Golf Vista (4930 W. Court St.) and the one at Second Place Church (25528 S. Willow Creek Lane). (There are two other micro-pantries in the village, not managed by Provision Lab, Inc., one at St. Paul UCC, 5323 W. Margaret St., and the other at Trinity Evangelical Christian Church, 25900 S. Will Center Road).

“We hold pantry on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 3 p.m. People usually start showing up at 2 p.m. to register. They park in the south lot of Brian’s restaurant (25665 S Governors Highway in Monee), and we have registration right there.

“Really just name, ZIP and like how many in your household. Then our neighbor drives through and gets a prepacked bag. Soon at our new location – hopefully, fingers crossed – they will be able to come in and ‘shop’ for what is needed.”

The most important message for Detlaff and her crew of organizers is getting the word out that Action: Love Monee and its programs are free to any and all who need them, not just for residents of Monee.

“We are there to serve our community,” she emphasized.

In addition to Action: Love Monee, the village boasts another source of food for families in need. New Hope Community Christian Church, 4700 W. Court St., also hosts a drive-thru pantry on the first Monday of each month (excluding holidays) beginning at 4 p.m. until the food is gone.

More information is available by calling (708) 235-0995.