Recent calculations done by the Lyons Elevating All Fund (LEAF), a nonprofit that operates a food pantry and provides other human services, have shown that a community-wide food drive to benefit LEAF conducted from April 28 and May 2 produced 500 pounds of community-donated food, then an additional 379 pounds of food matched by Cemex. The week-long food drive was supported by Cemex, a global construction materials company, and the Lyons Backer Football Club, a middle school football program in Lyons.
The donations will provide about three months worth of food for LEAF’s food pantry, which serves about 40 to 50 households per week and distributes around 6,000 pounds of food each month, according to Sarah Marconi, a spokesperson for Cemex, Lyons Backer Football Club, and LEAF.
In the spring, the organizations provided a list of nonperishable food and hygiene items that people could drop off at donation bins located throughout town, and provided an Amazon donation link, as well. The list of foods needed included “canned goods (soup, chili, stew), snacks (crackers, cookies, popcorn), flavored rice (pilaf, long grain and wild, etc.), cereal, juice boxes, fruit and applesauce cups; paper products (toilet paper, paper towels and tissues); and personal items (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, disposable razors and feminine products).”
Marconi said that Cemex’s donation match consisted of items that were more difficult and expensive for LEAF to acquire, like meat, in addition to pantry staples such as canned goods, dry goods, and bread.
“At Cemex, we believe in supporting the people and organizations that make our community stronger,” said Michael Clausen, Cemex’s corporate social responsibility manager at the Lyons cement plant. “LEAF plays a critical role in the lives of so many here in Lyons, and we’re proud to contribute to their mission of helping neighbors in need.”
In April, when the food drive launched, LEAF’s Executive Director Lory Barton said that the donations from this food drive would help the organization to meet the everyday needs of neighbors in Lyons.
“We are so thankful that the Lyons Backer Football Club and Cemex are organizing and supporting this incredible food pantry drive,” she said. “These donations will… show what’s possible when our community works together to elevate all.”
