Local man starts mini food pantry in honor of parents

MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) - A new food pantry stands just outside of 2994 S. Mount Zion Road, near the Ace Hardware. It's open 24/7 with a light above the door, giving people a safe, private spot to have access to food.

Dustin Dalluge put the pantry outside his business after noticing a need for families to get food outside of work hours. He said a lot of pantries or churches offering food are only open in typical working hours, making it hard for people without transportation or at work to get food.

"We were completely full Friday and we've been we've been used a little bit here in the last few days and we're starting to run short on some things," said Dalluge as he opened the pantry doors. "It seems as if bread, bagels, breakfast items, those really go quick. We keep produce down on the bottom, and we're looking for non expired food items."

The pantry is supplied 100% by the community, with people from throughout the community provided any food they can spare. DAlluge named it the "Love You Later" pantry, after a phrase his parents frequently said.

"I lost both of my parents in a home explosion in Warrensburg and, during that time, we watched the community pour out love for us," said Dalluge. "Something my parents always told each other and myself was "'love you, later. ' So that was kind of our our inspiration for starting the pantry and coming up with a name for the pantry. It was just something to help honor them and then give back to the community that's given us so much during an incredibly rough few months."

Dalluge said it's been a tough year for the whole Mount Zion community, but the pantry reminds him of all of the good in the world. It's been a blessing to see it filled up consistently, said Dalluge.

He is also planning a thanksgiving dinner giveaway this year. He hopes to complete 50 turkey dinners that will feed a family of 10. The dinners will be handed out on Monday, November 24th on a first-come, first-served basis.

Donations for the pantry can be placed directly in the pantry or placed in the bin next to it.

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