Directly following the holiday season of giving is January, the month when donations tend to slow down although needs remain high. Thus was the thought behind Friendship Village’s senior living community’s recent food drive for Schaumburg Township Food Pantry.

Friendship Village’s spiritual life committee coordinated the event. “The mission of the committee is to support the diverse spiritual needs of our Friendship Village community and to enrich the spiritual well-being of all residents, volunteers, and guests,” said Chaplain Melanie Tornquist. The committee is philanthropic and raised money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine last year.

“The committee members feel very strongly that we should provide an opportunity for all of our residents to share with our neighbors in the Schaumburg area. They decided to focus our efforts in January, feeling that might be a time of greater need. We had great participation from Friendship Village. The spiritual life team sorted and delivered three flatbed carts laden with food and personal care items,” Tornquist said.“The Friendship Village residents were so generous in their giving. I was really touched that so many people contributed things they thought pantry guests would enjoy and need. I am so grateful to everyone who donated and to witness the kindness of Friendship Village residents in action.”