Instant Brands donated its iconic Pyrex food storage container to help families in need expand their food budget by safely storing food from West Suburban Communitty Pantry. Courtesy of West Suburban Community Pantry

Woodridge’s West Suburban Community Pantry serves more than 500 households in DuPage and Will Counties every week, and one in ten residents need food assistance. As inflation and rising food prices widen the food insecurity gap, food pantry continues to provide out-of-the-box ways to best serve local neighbors who need support.

During the holidays, demand is particularly high, as families strive to meet family needs while providing some festive joy for their children.

From launching its contactless virtual food pantry to innovative partnerships with community organizations and corporate sponsors, West Suburban Community Pantry is committed to breaking down barriers to food aid.

The three-fold effort includes implementing new services to best meet people’s needs; encouraging voluntary service; and educating current and potential donors on food insecurity and ways to provide help.

The local-based Instant Brands is a favorite manufacturer of consumers such as Instant Pot and Pyrex, and recently joined forces with West Suburban Community Pantry to help carry out the organization's mission.

“One of the challenges facing safety net organizations is that people mistakenly believe that there is no food insecurity in the suburbs,” said Lisa Spaeth, director of development for the West Suburb Community Food Pantry. “So when a global company like Instant Brands reaches out and is willing to help us solve the food insecurity in the western suburbs, we think it shows that our education and awareness-raising efforts are having an impact.”

Instant Brands saw an opportunity to help West Suburban Community Pantry and the families it most directly serves by further expanding its grocery store this holiday season. As the first step of the collaboration, Instant Brands donated trays of its Pyrex glass food storage solution for distribution during Pantry's annual harvest week before Thanksgiving.

Ben Gadbois, President and CEO of Instant Brands, said: “As the pantry has been hit hard by rising food costs, we have the opportunity to help. “We are honored to play a small role in West Suburban Community Pantry’s efforts to help eliminate food insecurity. Role, we hope to inspire others to help solve this very difficult but solvable problem. We are all connected in some way. "

"We are honored to be working with Instant Brands on this work," said Laura Coyle, Pantry's executive director. "As consumers, we all appreciate the benefits that Pyrex products provide for preparing food and storing leftovers to extend our own food budget. Let the company understand how this will support our family, this is indeed a gift this holiday. We look forward to The Instant Brands relationship further advances the cause of eradicating hunger."

In December, Instant Brands will host employee-run food events at its Downers Grove global headquarters and Chicago/Merchandise Mart locations, and all donations will benefit the West Suburban Community Pantry. In the coming months, Instant Brands will provide employee volunteer opportunities, continuous product donations, and work with the pantry to develop recipes, tips and tricks to help increase food costs.

Instant Brands designs, manufactures and markets a global portfolio of innovative and iconic consumer lifestyle brands: Instant, Pyrex, Corelle, Corningware, Snapware, Chicago Cutlery and Visions. Considering people-oriented and purpose-oriented solutions, Instant Brands is reimagining the way people live, eat, connect, and entertain people in their homes and spaces where people gather. The Cornell Capital-backed company is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, and has more than 2,400 employees on four continents. Today, Instant Brands products are sold in millions of households around the world. For more information, please visit InstantBrands.com or join the communities on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

About Xijiao Community Food Store

The West Suburban Community Pantry provides food and resources for people facing hunger, allowing them to obtain a nutritious diet and enhancing their hope for tomorrow. They have been rooted in the community for 50 years, providing face-to-face pantry, virtual pantry, and home delivery programs for senior citizens in DuPage County, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville. They also carry out child nutrition programs, and provide families with financial assistance and free seminars. With the support of individuals, businesses and organizations, the Xijiao Community Food Store is moving towards the vision of a hunger-free community every day. Together, we nourish our communities so that everyone can get the food they need to succeed. Visit wscpantry.org and find us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.