The Micro Pantries, sponsored by the local Interact Club at the Minooka Community High School, are a mini food pantry for our community. The boxes are a self-serve pantry for non-perishable food items and occasionally other dry goods. 

Everyone is welcome to take what you need and leave what you can.

The Micro Pantries are sponsored by the Interact Club at the Minooka Community High School. However, the library does help the club by keeping an eye on the pantries.  If you notice damage to the boxes, expired items, or perishable items, you can notify the library and we will pass the information along to the Interact Club.

The contents are constantly rotating. Most non-perishable food items and dry goods are accepted.

The Blessing Boxes are intended for unopened, unexpired, and non-perishable foods and dry goods. Here are some suggested items that can be donated to the boxes:

• Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Rice
• Canned tuna, chicken, & other meats
• Canned soups
• Boxed meals         
• Applesauce
• Cereal
• Baking mixes
• Condiments
• Canned fruits & vegetables
• Beans
• Juices (100%  preferred)
• Seasonings & spices
• Crackers
• Dry soup mix
• Cooking oils

This is just an example of common items requested by standard food pantries. Other non-perishable food items not on this list can be donated.

Dry goods, such as paper towels and toilet paper, are also accepted. Other non-perishables and dry goods can also be donated as space allows.

Please do not leave refrigerated or frozen items or perishables (fruit, bread, etc) at any time.

**During the cold weather, please do not leave bottled or canned goods, as these can freeze, causing damage to the pantry and other items around it.  Bottled and canned goods can freeze at temperatures lower than 35° so please be sure to check the upcoming forecast during the colder seasons before donating these items.

You can take whatever you need!  The Blessing Boxes are self-serve.  Please feel free to take what you need, whenever you need it.  Blessing Boxes are outside both library buildings and can be accessed even when the libraries are closed. 

There are a few items that should not be donated in the Blessing Boxes:

• Expired Items
  • Even if it's a recent expiration dates, these items should not be donated.
• Perishable Items, including, but not limited to:
  • Bread
  • Refrigerated dairy products
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Homemade baked goods
  • Frozen items (even in winter)
  • other items that require refrigeration
• Items that have been opened
  • Unless it's a box or other container of individually wrapped items, like snack cakes or oatmeal packets, items that have been opened should not be donated.
• Cash/Gift Cards
  • If you would like to donate these items, please donate directly to food pantries.  Some local food pantries include:
    • Living Manna Resource Center
    • Mission Bible Church
    • Minooka United Methodist Church
    • Village Christian Church
    • Northern Illinois Food Bank

**During the cold weather, please do not leave bottled or canned goods, as these can freeze, causing damage to the pantry and other items around it. Bottled and canned goods can freeze at temperatures lower than 35° so please be sure to check the upcoming forecast during the colder seasons before donating these items.

If the Micro Pantry is full, that's awesome! However, if you have donations and both boxes are full, please do not overstuff the box or leave your donations outside the box, as this can attract animals, insects, and other pests. There are other food pantry boxes in the area that you can visit to donate or you can donate to the local food pantries in our community.

Food Pantry Boxes:

• SouthField Church in Channahon
• Living Water Church in Morris
• Morris Area Public Library in Morris

Food Pantries:

• Living Manna Resource Center
• Mission Bible Church
• Minooka United Methodist Church
• Village Christian Church
• Northern Illinois Food Bank