Jerri Beeter, of McHenry, wasn’t sure what her family was going to put on the table for a holiday dinner and was struggling to purchase presents for her three children.
The 40-year-old lives off Social Security disability. The unemployment checks for her husband, who was laid off from work two-and-a-half years ago, have run out.
Beeter was one of hundreds of McHenry County area residents who came to the Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church last week for the opportunity to receive free presents and a turkey dinner with all the fixings.
(PHOTOS: Turkey dinner giveaway.)
“If it wasn’t for the community, I wouldn’t know what my family would be doing for Christmas dinner,” said Beeter, who has endured eight back surgeries in the last six years. “It’s so difficult right now. You just have to put your pride aside to provide for your children.”
During a prior mobile food pantry event at the church, more than 10,000 pounds of food was handed out, along with free backpacks, clothing and school supplies for children heading back to school. Due to the large turnout, not everyone received the items, leaving many disappointed and frustrated, according to Rev. John Dillon.
The church limited the free dinners to the first 150 residents, and was able to provide gifts for the majority of those in attendance this time around.
“Every time we host one of these events we learn something different because you never know what is going to happen,” Dillon said. “Last time it got out of hand.”
The dinners were provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mobile food pantry, and the gifts were either purchased by the church or donated by parishioners.
Angela Henline, of Lake in the Hills, started attending free food distribution events about a month ago. The 25-year-old stay at home mom was let go from her job five months ago, and came to the church with the hopes of obtaining a dinner and a few extra gifts for her 5-year-old daughter.
“We’re a very proud family, and never wanted help if we didn’t need it,” she said. “But for the sake of our daughter we need the extra help if we can get it.”
