Through the generosity of Box Packaging Partners employees, the company collected more than 4,900 shelf-stable food items, personal care and hygiene products, and household cleaning supplies for the Pantry. The donations filled six pallets and will help stock the Pantry’s shelves with many of the everyday essentials our families rely on.

Said Pantry Manager Sarah Lee: “Box Partners contacted us in July with the goal of holding a company-wide donation drive on our behalf. The drive was held for three weeks in August. We shared a list of our most needed items with them, and what an incredible result. This was a wonderful partnership and one I hope we can recreate with other businesses in the D300 community.“

Donations like these make a significant difference for the families we serve. In addition to food, personal care products and household cleaning supplies are especially valuable because they can be expensive for families to purchase and are not always covered by other forms of assistance.

We are incredibly grateful to Box Packaging Partners for choosing to support the D300 Food Pantry and for the time, effort, and generosity that went into organizing such a successful drive.

Thank you to everyone at Box Packaging Partners who donated and helped make this contribution possible. Your support will directly benefit families throughout the District 300 community.

​D300 Food Pantry will be hosting a Back-to-School event. At this event our registered families can gather backpacks and school supplies and check out a few more surprises and fun activities. Your donation will help us make sure we can help more than 450 kids have the supplies they need to get their school year off to a great start and fulfill our mission.

How can you help? Please note the deadline to donate is July 17th.

1. Organize a Drive to Collect Items: are you a business or group that can organize a drive to collect the items on our list? Contact us with questions or to arrange pick up with Nikki Kuhlman.

2. Donate Items as an Individual: start buying items off our Back-to-School Ideas List (below), and drop them off at the pantry in the red bin any time, or through July 17th on Tuesdays from 8am to 9:30am or 6pm to 7:30pm and Wednesdays 11am to 1pm.

3. Donate Money: can’t shop but want to help? You can DONATE so that we can purchase some great school supplies.

4. Become an Event Sponsor: are you part of an organization or a company that wants to give back the community? We’re looking for sponsors to help us make the event even better. We’d like to have a face painter and a balloon animal artist, as well as an ice cream stand or Kona Ice truck, and a hot dog stand. Contact Julie Pirtle for more information and to find out how you can get involved.

5. Shop Our Wish Lists: items are shipped to our Facility Manager’s home:

• Amazon: you can shop our Amazon Wishlist
• Walmart: you can shop our Walmart Wishlist

6. Volunteer: sign up on Sign-up Genius for one or more of the following shifts on July 25th:
– Setup: 9:30am to noon
– Event: Noon to 3pm
– Cleanup: 2:30pm to 4pm

We also have three donation collection events that we can use help with on June 27th, July 11th and July 12th. Sign up on Bloomerang.

7. Share with Your Friends: help us get the word out by sharing this page with all your friends.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL IDEAS LIST:

• Lunch Boxes
• Reusable Water Bottles (12, 16 or 18 oz)
• Tissues
• Paper Towel
• Wipes (Clorox/Baby)
• Zip Lock Bags (All Sizes)
• Pens: Red, Black and Blue
• Pink Erasers
• Colored Pencils
• Pencil Sharpeners
• Mechanical Pencils
• College-Ruled Spiral Notebooks
• Wide-ruled Spiral Notebooks
• Thin and Thick Markers
• Glue Sticks and Liquid School Glue (4oz bottles)
• Post-it Notes (square)
• 1- to 2-inch 3-Ring Binders
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Highlighters
• Filler Paper: Wide & College Ruled
• Rulers
• Backpacks: 15″ and 17″

Carpentersville, IL — January 19, 2026 — The D300 Food Pantry held its annual meeting this week, bringing together board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners to reflect on a year marked by both significant challenges and extraordinary community support.

Over the past year, the D300 Food Pantry navigated a number of complex issues impacting the families it serves, including periods of increased ICE enforcement that caused fear and reduced pantry visits, a temporary freeze on SNAP benefits, and the Meadowdale apartment fires that displaced families and created urgent need. In each case, the pantry was able to respond quickly and compassionately due to strong community partnerships and volunteer support.

In 2025, the D300 Food Pantry served 8,253 unique children and 3,154 unique households, representing families who rely on the pantry throughout the year. Volunteers logged 7,417 hours tracked through the pantry’s volunteer management system. Pantry leadership noted that these figures reflect only logged hours and do not capture the countless additional hours contributed by board members, committee leaders, and key volunteers working behind the scenes.

Beyond food distribution, the pantry continued to advance its mission of nurturing a healthier, happier, and stronger community through supplemental programs and events. Highlights included a Back-to-School Supply Event and Fun Fair to help students start the school year prepared and confident, as well as the Holiday Shop, which allowed families to select gifts for their children with dignity during the holiday season.

During the meeting, the pantry also recognized outstanding Community Partner Award recipients for their exceptional support:

• Jersey Mike’s particularly the Carpentersville location, for ongoing generosity and engagement
• Willow Creek, recognized for its continued partnership and commitment to local families
• The Seigle Foundation, for its impactful philanthropic support

“These partnerships are essential to our ability to respond in times of crisis and to continue expanding programs that support the whole family,” Nikki Kuhlman, Board Vice President shared during the meeting.

The annual meeting also included the election of board officers for the coming year. The D300 Food Pantry is pleased to announce the following board leadership:

• Chuck Bumbales, President
• Nikki Kuhlman, Vice President
• Jeff Davis, continuing as Secretary
• Jill Scarpino, continuing as Treasurer

Looking ahead, the pantry also shared upcoming initiatives, including its winter fundraiser, Coldest Night of the Year, an upcoming golf outing, expanded volunteer opportunities, and the launch of a new D300 Food Pantry logo merchandise store.

The D300 Food Pantry extends its sincere gratitude to all volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters who made this year’s work possible.

For more information about the D300 Food Pantry, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, visit d300foodpantry.org.

January 6, 2026
D300 FOOD PANTRY HOSTS FIRST CNOY WALK TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS

Carpentersville, IL January 6, 2026 – For the first time, D300 Food Pantry is hosting a Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This family-friendly winter event invites people across Carpentersville to walk together and raise funds for those experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness.

CNOY is a nationwide movement held in more than 300 cities and towns across North America. On one night, tens of thousands of walkers will brave the cold together, raising millions for local charities who provide food, shelter, and support.

The D300 Food Pantry walk begins and ends at Parkview Elementary School. Participants will choose a 2 km or 5 km route, warm up at rest stops with hot drinks, and celebrate at the finish line. Fundraisers who raise $150 (adults) or $75 (youth) will earn the iconic CNOY toque/winter hat.

“We’re excited to launch our very first Coldest Night event,” said Michele Clark, Director of Development. “Every step our walkers take will help D300 Food Pantry support vulnerable neighbors here in Cityville. We can’t wait to see our community come together for this cause – it’s cold out there!”

Registration is open now at www.cnoy.com/carpentersville

Media Contact: Michele Clark, Director of Development

D300 Food Pantry, www.d300foodpantry.org

The Healthy Families Program is designed to ensure that District 300 students, families, and community members have reliable access to nutritious foods essential for long-term health and well-being. With the support of The Seigle Foundation, the D300 Food Pantry will expand its inventory of fresh and healthy options, including eggs, yogurt and cheese.

To celebrate the launch, the Food Pantry hosted a kick-off event yesterday, welcoming members of The Seigle Foundation — Mark and Robin Seigle and Karina Nava — who joined D300 Food Pantry Board President Nikki Kuhlman, Vice President Chuck Bumbales, and Director of Development Michele Clark  alongside additional board members, pantry volunteers and community supporters.

“Because of the support from the Seigle Foundation, we’re able to launch our new Healthy Families Program—a year-long initiative focused on helping low-income families build healthier habits and enjoy a more well-rounded diet.” Kuhlman said. “The funding ensures these healthy essentials will be consistently available in our clients’ homes, helping families prepare nutritious meals and encouraging young people to build healthier eating habits that can last a lifetime.”

The $30,000 grant will immediately support procurement of healthy food items that are historically scarce in food pantry environments, helping the D300 Food Pantry offer a more balanced and consistent variety of options to the thousands of individuals it serves each year.

For more information about the Healthy Families Program or how to support the D300 Food Pantry, please visit d300foodpantry.org or call (847) 783-7030.

​D300 Food Pantry will be hosting a Back-to-School event. At this event our registered families can gather backpacks and school supplies and check out a few more surprises and fun activities. Your donation will help us make sure we can help more than 420 kids have the supplies they need to get their school year off to a great start and fulfill our mission.

How can you help? Please note the deadline to donate is July 23rd.

1. Organize a Drive to Collect Items: are you a business or group that can organize a drive to collect the items on our list? Contact us with questions or to arrange pick up with Nikki Kuhlman.

2. Donate Items as an Individual: start buying items off our Back-to-School Ideas List, and drop them off at the pantry in the red bin any time, or starting July 9th through July 23rd on Tuesdays from 8am to 9:30am or 6pm to 7:30pm and Wednesdays 11am to 1pm.

3. Donate Money: can’t shop but want to help? You can DONATE so that we can purchase some great school supplies.

4. Become an Event Sponsor: are you part of an organization or a company that wants to give back the community? We’re looking for sponsors to help us make the event even better. Contact Stanze Smith for more information and to find out how you can get involved.

5. Shop Our Wish Lists: items are shipped to our Facility Manager’s home:

• Amazon: you can shop our Amazon Wishlist
• Walmart: you can shop our Walmart Wishlist

6. Share with Your Friends: help us get the word out by sharing this page with all your friends.

7. Volunteer: you can email Michele Johnstone to sign up for one or more of the following shifts on August 2nd:
– Setup: 9am to noon
– Event: Noon to 3pm
– Cleanup: 2:30pm to 4pm

BACK-TO-SCHOOL IDEAS LIST:

• Most needed: Lunch Boxes
• Reusable Water Bottles (12, 16 or 18 oz)
• Tissues
• Paper Towel
• Wipes (Clorox/Baby)
• Zip Lock Bags (All Sizes)
• Pens: Black and Blue
• #2 Pencils
• Pink Erasers
• Colored Pencils
• Pencil Sharpeners
• Mechanical Pencils
• Texas Instruments Scientific Calculators (TI 30XIIS)
• College-Ruled Spiral Notebooks
• Thin and Thick Markers
• Glue Sticks
• Post-it Notes (square)
• 1- to 2-inch 3-Ring Binders
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Highlighters
• Over-the-Ear Headphones (wired)
• Filler Paper: Wide & College Ruled
• Rulers

$5,000: Pantry Trailblazers – Payment Link

• 1 foursome golf package, including After Party
• 1 foursome golf package at Randall Oaks Golf Club to be used during the 2025 golf season
• Dedicated hole sponsorship, including ability to market at designated hole during outing
• Top billing on signage at the outing as well as recognition of sponsorship prior to golfers being dispersed for shotgun
• Recognition on digital signage at entrance of golf course
• Recognition on GPS screens on each golf cart during event
• Company recognition/website link on D300 Food Pantry website and social media platforms
• Special recognition at After Party including Company Name and QR code on placards placed on each table
• Special Acknowledgement on Annual Giving Letter sent to all Food Pantry donors
• Ability to include company logo items in each golfers “Goody Bag” 

$2,500: Pantry Pacesetters – Payment Link

• 1 foursome golf package, including After Party
• Dedicated hole sponsorship, including ability to market at designated hole during outing
• Prominent recognition on signage at the outing
• Recognition on digital signage at entrance of golf course
• Recognition on GPS screens on each golf cart during event
• Company recognition/website link on D300 Food Pantry website and social media platforms
• Special recognition at After Party including Company Name and QR code on placards placed on each table
• Special Acknowledgement on Annual Giving Letter sent to all Food Pantry donors
• Ability to include company logo items in each golfers “Goody Bag” 

$1,000: Pantry Partners – Payment Link

• Dedicated hole sponsorship, including ability to market at designated hole during outing
• Recognition on signage at the outing
• Recognition on GPS screens on each golf cart during event
• Company recognition/website link on D300 Food Pantry website and social media platforms
• Special recognition at After Party
• Special Acknowledgement on Annual Giving Letter sent to all Food Pantry donors
• Ability to include company logo items in each golfers “Goody Bag”

$500: Beverage Cart Sponsor – not available

• Signage on Beverage Cart
• Ability to include company logo items in each golfers “Goody Bag”

$400: Hole Sponsorship – Payment Link

• Dedicated hole sponsorship, including ability to market on Driving Range, Putting Green or designated hole during outing
• Recognition on GPS screens on each golf cart during event
• Ability to include company logo items in each golfers “Goody Bag”

$150: Hunger Heroes – Payment Link

• Personalized signage placed on a Tee Box during event

To sign up to be a sponsor or to learn more, email KentS@d300foodpantry.org.

We are excited to announce our THIRD ANNUAL “DRIVE TO BEAT HUNGER” GOLF OUTING! June 4th at Randall Oaks Golf course with a shotgun start at 10:30am.

Golfers can sign up NOW! Registration & payment is online here to be a golfer. You’ll get driving range access, 18 holes of golf with a cart, box lunch and after party. Tickets are $125.

If you don’t want to golf, but would like to come to the amazing after party, with cash bar, heavy apps, raffle prizes, 50/50 raffle and more, you can join us for $30. Tickets are available here.

There are multiple sponsorship opportunities available. Learn more here.