Keeping the thanks in Thanksgiving

 Golan Mor knew this year would need to be different.

Golan Mor, executive manager of Garden Fresh Market
loads one of five pallets of food that he donated to the
Rotary Club food drive.

And the executive manager of Garden Fresh Market decided to make a difference. For the past two years, Mor has donated items to be included in boxes of food and other items that are donated by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club to area needy families.

            He started helping the Rotary Club out with the annual event “a couple of years ago,” after he was approached by Pete Panayiotou, whose Continental Restaurant is a few doors down from Garden Fresh Market on Buffalo Grove. “At first he asked for wholesale prices, but I decided to donate $1,000,” Mor says. Last year, the donation was $2,000.

Buffalo Grove Fire Department Battalion Chief
Shawn Collins packs boxes of food.

            But then the pandemic hit. “This year, given the circumstances I decided to cover the whole thing,” he says. That ‘whole thing’ is nearly $10,000 of food fundamentals to help the needy. The items are all shelf-stable and include, but are not limited to things like sugar, flour, mayonnaise and canned soups.

            “The country has to mobilize like we did two generations ago. Everyone needs to do their part at every level,” Mor says.

 

Shannon O'Connor of Rickin' Jump in
Buffalo Grove loads items for the needy.

           The five pallets of food will help the Rotary Club put together 150 boxes of supplies that will be given to families who are referred to the Rotary Club by officials in school districts 21, 95, 214 as well as the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

            In addition to the food donations, 75 participants will receive a hand-made winter hat, all made by Tammy Dreyer, records clerk for the Kildeer Police Department. Stuffed animals, donated by PetSmart in Kildeer, will be given to children.

Started in 1978 by Wheeling High School and the Wheeling Rotary Club, the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club joined the effort four years later. The initiative is coordinated by former Buffalo Grove chief and current Kildeer Police Chief Steve Balinski, Shawn Collins, Buffalo Grove Fire Department Battalion Fire Chief and Panayiotou.