ShareFest founder Gary Chaney said Saturday’s free food distribution was the largest ShareFest has ever organized.
Governor Cheney said at an event in downtown Joliet on Monday that 74,501 pounds of food was distributed in three hours, the most ever for a ShareFest event.
“We actually had to go out and buy food on the way there,” Cheney said. “We knew we were going to run out of food.”
ShareFest organized the event at the request of Will County Mayor Jennifer Bertino Tarrant and Joliet Mayor Terry Darcy to help with recovery efforts following the severe storm on July 15, which spawned multiple tornadoes and caused widespread power outages.
Chaney said the drive was unique in that three organizations came together to provide food instead of the usual one, along with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Illinois Partners in Hope.
“We’re pleased to see the county, city and other food partners come together to address the need,” Chaney said.
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Other figures Cheney provided on Saturday:
• Provided food to 799 households, totaling 2,506 people
• 80 pallets of food distributed
• Also distributed were 333 Jewel-Osco gift cards valued at $5,000.
At the drive-thru event at the Will County Courthouse, the parking lot was filled to capacity and cars were lined up on Scott Street waiting to get in, Chaney said.
“We’ve been doing this for 18 years,” he said. “This is the first time we’ve raised that much food in three hours. It’s really amazing.”
