This past Friday, Good Friday, I was invited to photograph a beautiful ministry event held each Friday at The Chapel, McHenry. It's called "Food Truck Friday," but it isn't what you might think. 

 

Fresh yellow mangoes arranged on a white surface with blurred background.

 

When I arrived at the Chapel McHenry, I assumed I was photographing a sort of "restaurant on wheels" event, but when I walked inside and to the back, I witnessed more than a dozen kind and selfless volunteers stocking the shelves of a weekly held food pantry. The food is brought in on FOOD TRUCKS from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and various local grocery stores for those in need in our area. Not only does this ministry serve 100 - 120 families per week, but they also offer to pack and deliver to those who do not have the means of traveling due to cancer treatments or various disabilities.

 

A volunteer smiling while sorting donations in a warehouse.
Stacked canned goods and non-perishable food items for donation.

 

I met with Deb Heath, who has been in charge of orchestrating the Friday Food Truck event for the past ten years. She explained to me that what began in her church, First Church in Crystal Lake, IL, as a way of serving the community has outgrown and moved a few different times over the years. After being struck with Covid restrictions and being forced to change and adapt, she reached out to The Chapel McHenry who welcomed the ministry with open arms. Since moving to the Chapel, Food Truck Friday has been able to install industrial refrigerators and freezers to help with the week-to-week carry-over, as well as establish a drive-thru system that allows their guests to safely stay in their vehicles as volunteers do the hard work of "shopping" for them. The guests are given a shopping list to complete with their food and other non-perishable needs (dietary and other restrictions included). They also share how many people are in their household (young and mature) to be sure the volunteer selects enough for everyone. The guest can then sit back and wait while the volunteer shops, packs, and delivers the items to their vehicle.

 

 

"We never run out! Every week we empty our shelves to those in need and God fills them the next week." - Deb Heath

 

 

What may seem like an emotionally difficult way to give back, was rather upbeat! Those stocking and shopping in the pantry were dancing to music, joking, laughing, and carrying about like old friends who simply meet each week. Perhaps they are old friends and I'm just new! HA! If you or someone you know is looking for a fulfilling way to serve in the church and community, please reach out to First Church in Crystal Lake or The Chapel McHenry for volunteer opportunities such as this. If volunteering is not your thing but you would still like to help with donations, you can do so by donating directly to the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva, IL. Be sure to note in the memo line that your donation is for "FIRST CHURCH FRIDAY- AGENCY #1019A."

 

Cardboard box filled with assorted groceries and bread for food donation.
Empty warehouse space with brick walls and large windows in black and white.
Volunteer sorting through food bank supplies with boxes of Fritos and other snacks on shelf.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chapel McHenry hosts a homeless shelter for those in need. The remaining food items from the food pantry each week, are prepared and cooked by the PADS resident chef and served to those staying at the facility. Nothing goes to waste. 

 

Packaged rolls and baked goods displayed on warehouse shelving with variety signage.
Long warehouse aisle filled with boxes and shelves of sorted food donations.
Stacked cardboard boxes and food items organized on industrial shelving in warehouse.
Pink salt shakers arranged neatly in cardboard box for distribution.
Various canned foods and non-perishable items arranged on food bank shelving.
Baby formula boxes and Pedialyte bottles arranged on warehouse shelf.
Several people sitting and resting in a warehouse setting near stacked cardboard boxes.
Large cardboard box filled with packaged food items in warehouse setting.
Food bank volunteers sorting donations at tables in warehouse space.
Boxes of citrus fruits and produce stacked on tables for food bank distribution.
Stacks of green food packaging bags in a warehouse setting with blurred overhead lights.
Cardboard boxes filled with packaged food items in a warehouse storage area.
Inspirational 'Speak with Kindness' sign with religious quote displayed on wall.
Fresh packaged salads and meals arranged on storage shelves.
Artistic painting of an open hand against a dark blue background.
Red storage bin filled with empty cardboard boxes in a warehouse setting.
People seated indoors near industrial water treatment equipment.
Volunteer sorting items into large red bins at a food bank or donation center.
Colorful motivational Bible verse poster quoting 1 Corinthians 10:31.
A person in casual attire sitting thoughtfully in a warehouse environment.
Stacks of cardboard boxes and packaged goods organized on warehouse shelves.
Warehouse shelves stocked with colorful flowers and boxes of supplies in an organized storage area.
A person wearing a black shirt works in a warehouse storage area with cardboard boxes in the background.
Display of colorful desserts and pastries arranged on tiered stands.
Wrapped food items and baked goods displayed on shelves in a storage area.
Food bank volunteers organize boxes and supplies in a large warehouse space.
Close-up of packaged food items and supplies with cardboard boxes in the background.
Someone organizing boxes on a wheeled cart in a warehouse storage area.
Worker organizing items in boxes on warehouse shelves with holiday shopping bag visible.
Person in camouflage shirt sorting items on warehouse shelves with storage boxes nearby.
Cardboard boxes filled with groceries, bread, and packaged food items for distribution.
Empty warehouse space with brick walls, large windows, and a cart in black and white.
Close up of packaged bread loaves stacked in plastic bags.
Cardboard box marked Del Monte filled with packaged food items.
Volunteers organizing food items and canned goods at a distribution center.
Long line of parked vehicles behind a blue railing at a distribution center.
Food bank storage area with boxes of Fritos and other packaged goods on shelves.
Close-up of packaged food items arranged in cardboard boxes.
Fresh yellow lemons on white surface with blurred background.
Wire mesh shelving holding packaged food items in a storage facility.
Cardboard boxes labeled Jenny stacked against chain link fence.
Volunteers working together at a food bank distribution center.
Volunteer sorting through cardboard boxes filled with donated items at a food bank distribution center.
Fresh celery and produce lined up in cardboard boxes for distribution at a food bank.
Family-size boxes of breakfast cereal including Frosted Flakes arranged on a shelf.
A paper list secured with a binder clip hangs from a metal pole in a warehouse setting.
Cardboard box filled with individually wrapped yellow cheese portions.
Black and white image of packaged bread products behind wire shelving.
Shelves stocked with various jars of food items in a food bank storage area.
Food bank volunteers organizing donations on tables in a warehouse setting.
Cardboard boxes filled with packaged meat products arranged for distribution.
Two volunteers standing together at a food bank distribution center.
Box filled with blue packaged food items at a distribution center.
Group of people standing near traffic cones in a parking lot during food distribution.
Stacked boxes of Bousin brand products in a warehouse storage area.
Two people standing in a warehouse with brick walls in a casual work environment.
People loading items into cars along a blue railing with industrial containers in the background.
Person in mint green jacket sorting through items in cardboard boxes at distribution center.
Volunteer wearing face mask and winter vest sorting through cardboard boxes of donated items.
Pink tag attached to hanging plastic bag on metal rack in distribution area.
Volunteer in winter clothing pushing cart loaded with food boxes through warehouse.
Worker handling packages of food items in warehouse storage area.
Person in winter hat and vest sorting food items on folding table.
Volunteer in blue sweater and black hat sorting through box of food items.
Cars lined up along a blue fence at a food distribution center on a winter day.
A person in a mint green winter coat uses a walking aid while sorting through boxes in a warehouse setting.
Volunteer sorting through food donations and supplies in cardboard boxes.
Close-up of a document clipped to a black metal stand with a blurred background.
Cars lined up along a blue railing with storage containers visible in the background.
Cardboard boxes and supplies loaded in the bed of a black pickup truck.
Person pulls a wagon loaded with cardboard boxes outside a building entrance.
People pushing carts with boxes in a large warehouse space with exposed ceiling.
Workers sorting items on tables in a large warehouse distribution center.
Volunteers organizing boxes of donations on carts in a warehouse.
Row of SUVs and minivans waiting in line at a distribution facility.
Close-up view of food products behind wire mesh storage shelving.
People handling food items at a distribution center table.
Various packaged bread products displayed behind wire mesh shelving.
Person accessing a large industrial refrigerator in a warehouse setting.
Volunteers sort donated items and supplies at a community food bank distribution center.
Workers moving supplies on carts through a warehouse storage area.
Close-up of a blue sticky note labeled 'Jesus 5' clipped to a metal rack.
Food bank box labeled 'Sweet Snacks' with packaged items inside.
Person loading donated items onto a cart in a warehouse.
Box labeled 'Baking Items' among food donations on warehouse shelves.
Hot dog buns and bread with 'Garlic' label at food distribution center.
Canned goods and shelf-stable foods arranged on tables in a warehouse setting.