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    Familes Forward

    4.0 (8 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Services - Familes Forward

    Food banks

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    Ask the Community - Familes Forward

    The Incredible Edible Farm - Cabbage

    The Incredible Edible Farm

    (4 reviews)

    My men's group decided to volunteer a shift here. The wait to find a open weekend spot for us all…read morewas a couple of months. When the morning arrived, we were met by a check-in person, who in turn gave us some quick notes and passed us off to get instructed/assigned to our tasks. There was plenty of staff to get us up to speed so that we could be productive (harvesting celery and onions). The time flew and at our first break, were informed of all the wonderful things that the farm does and who/how many people it reaches who are without food. A very rewarding experience and also a good workout. I hope to come back and volunteer again.

    The Incredible Edible Farm at the Great Park is an urban farm where Second Harvest Food Bank grows…read morefresh produce to feed the hungry. Great place to volunteer and bring out your inner farmer. Volunteers of all ages are welcomed to help plant, weed, and harvest at the Incredible Edible Farm (by appointment only). The staff is friendly and delegates the tasks efficiently; they also monitor if you need help. For our shift, we pulled weeds, harvested cabbage leafs (for burrito wrap in place tortilla), and picked ripe oranges. Fun experience, the labor makes you appreciate and respect farmers and not waste any food! TIP: 1. This is a popular site which operates Tuesday-Saturdays, 8:30am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:30pm. Saturday shifts fill out 6 months in advance! 2. Bring a pair of gardening gloves. 3. During cloudy/misty weather, wear waterproof clothing or stuff you don't mind getting wet and muddy. 4. Volunteer shifts continue if it drizzles a bit, but will terminate in downpour. 5. Take your break as needed.

    Recovery Road - Recovery Road

    Recovery Road

    (13 reviews)

    I went here once for a women's open meeting and this is my experience. The group is large, easily…read moremore than 100 people. Most of the meeting time was taken up by those taking milestone chips and telling their stories. This left about 15 minutes for open discussion. I witnessed several people in the meeting who were still clearly using, and in fact high during the meeting. I would say this can provide some kind of "fear factor," but I really found it triggering and it made me want to pick up. I never went back. I appreciate the resources they provide to the community, but for myself I had to find another meeting to feel more comfortable.

    I struggled writing this review, but I feel it's important. I had two run-ins with Robin Rush, and…read moreafter the first, I wrote a complaint but didn't send it, hoping things would improve. After the second, I realized this was a pattern, and after reading other reviews, I saw it wasn't just me. To those who spoke up before: thank you. Your honesty helped me see my experience wasn't isolated. Because of your reviews and my own documentation, I was able to present the truth to the court and received another extension even after being told I had no options left. I'll take responsibility for not securing my extension properly... that was on me. But the way Robin handled it was unnecessarily harsh. What could've been resolved with simple communication turned into a cycle of criticism and disrespect. She accused me of being "lazy," "not working," and "needing to be told to keep busy," all of which are false. To clarify: once, she saw me on my phone after eight hours of work, texting my partner I'd be home soon. Another time, her son saw me talking to two volunteers on our scheduled break. Besides those two, no staff member ever implied I wasn't working. In fact, I was respected by the rest of the team and praised for my effort. Even in disagreement, I remained polite and respectful. I apologized after our initial misunderstanding, which she ignored. She once raised her voice at me in front of staff completely uncalled for. She also slammed a paper down and slid it across the counter toward me with an irritated, "What's this? This means nothing to me," before I could even explain. It wasn't a violent throw, but it was aggressive and unnecessary. I stayed calm. At that time, she even confused me with someone else, insisting I had "argued" with her over text when no such exchange existed. When I later read a reviewer's comment about Robin throwing a purse at them, I believed it instantly! I'd seen that same temperament myself. At one point, when I opened up about feeling overwhelmed, hoping for understanding, she told me to stop with my "sob story" and sent a screenshot of a helpline. No empathy, no concern, just dismissal. No one working in recovery or service should ever say that to someone struggling. People come for help, not humiliation. The last time we spoke, I mentioned her staff's early closures made me short an hour on my timesheet. Her response: "That's not my problem." Those words said everything. I've since learned others had the same experience. One reviewer said Robin told him "everyone was complaining about him," the exact thing she told me. That pattern matters. When a person in authority tells struggling people they're the problem, even when they're trying, it's not just unkind, it's damaging. For those seeking recovery or structure, that kind of treatment can push them further from healing. To be fair, what Robin does for the community, food distribution, recovery meetings, community service is good work. But compassion and communication are just as vital. She may run programs, but she lacks the empathy those in recovery truly need. Ironically, this experience became a blessing in disguise. My new site, a church, welcomed me with warmth and patience. They even told me if I'm ever short on hours, they'll work with me. That's the spirit of service that changes lives. Robin often speaks of being close to God, but my experience with her was the opposite of Christ-like compassion. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." -- Ephesians 4:32 To anyone volunteering, completing service, or attending meetings here do so with awareness. This organization's mission is admirable, but its leadership needs reflection. A person can feed bodies and still starve spirits. I sincerely hope Robin one day understands the power her words/actions have and chooses to use them to heal rather than harm.

    Christian Outreach In Action - Christmas toy giveaway during Children's Christmas party

    Christian Outreach In Action

    (11 reviews)

    Mary & I had the pleasure of volunteering ( from 11 A.M.-3…read moreP.M.-we stayed an extra hour ) for the first time for this worthy cause; trust MP, I almost never volunteer unless I feel my time will be well spent on volunteering for a worthy cause! Everything from Barbies, foot balls, walkie talkies, skate boards, electric cars, dolls, you name it, it was most likely there; I mean a packed back room that would make Santa Ho-Ho-My!!!! Yes, full of donated toys and the like for ALL ages, busting at the seems, with all of the elves bustling about organizing them and refreshing the delivery areas with every group's arrival! =============================================================== This organization helps make Christmas a very special time for Families ( who are not as fortunate as others ) and their children by offering up a 1 toy per child gift center located within a church; 20-25 people are allowed in at a time, toy distribution is distributed by volunteers areas beginning with ages 0-3, 4-7, 8-12 and 13-17. Also, while waiting, the children are entertained by volunteers offering up all kinds of arts & crafts and in the main area of the church, they had a packed house of of demographics singing Christmas carols and, recognizing every other holiday celebrated by other cultures & religions at this time of year too. The toy distribution process begins at 8 A.M. and goes through until 4 P.M.; many families and their children were there as early as 4 A.M. in line to get in, there must have been over 500 families & children throughout the whole day; when Marty & I exited, the line that wrapped around the block and then some was gone. I volunteered on the 0-3 age group and Marty was over at the 8-12 age group distribution; for the last hour I then moved over to the 8-12 area to assist as that was a pretty busy place and, that's where all of the skate boards and cool stuff was-just the kid in me I guess! I was truly ( and still am actually ) humbled by this experience and, 1 little boy who was age 8 touched my heart: Marty waved me over to translate in Spanish for the Mother of this beautiful child, the Mom, ( with tears in her eyes and the signs of a hard life too ) explained to me that he was age 8, but at birth there was some damage to his brain, leaving him developmentally stunted and with the mentality of a 3 year old; I directed her to the area he might better do well with, ages 4-7. Now keep in mind that during my translation this beautiful child kept reaching out to me, grabbing for my hand, just to hold it, looking into my eyes quite intensely; I smiled back and kept shaking his hand. On her way out the Mother thanked me again & again about how much she appreciated ALL that everyone had done and, thanking me for being so kind and, I gave the Boy another gift, a football, then the Boy motioned to me, to come closer, as if he had something to whisper in my ear, nope, a BIG smooch on MP's bearded face is what I got with a BIG smile from him too; I think of him often and pray that he is doing well as too his family. Look, it takes a lot to get me watery eyed, okay sometimes not so much, but I really got into gratitude after this segment in my journey of life and, I tell of this encounter still. IT DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING TO BE NICE TO SOMEONE-NOTHING, JUST DO IT! Now, as for those 3 kids who wiped off your marked wrists as you exited and attempted to re-enter and get more toys, COAL in your stockings and shame on you & your folks! Really: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BClVT3mPhdI

    My overall experience is MEDIOCRE. I'm currently using the free hot meal program. I have my PROS &…read moreCONS. Here's the PROS. The serving staff are friendly, They allow us to get seconds & thirds. Here are the CONS, The building is old & decrepit. No air conditioning. So does the restrooms. Overall, the food sometimes good & sometimes mediocre. Also, the food pantry is MEDIOCRE as well. I don't always get what I wanted.

    World Harvest Food Bank - Seasame peanut chicken salad bowl

    World Harvest Food Bank

    (121 reviews)

    $

    Arlington Heights

    Excellent kind vibes from Jessie! Friendly, professional, Highly recommend visiting this location.read more

    Quick context- i am disabled and suffer from cognitive and physical limitations. I am low income,…read moreand didnt quite have the mandatory $50 to spend but i wanted to pay at least half of that to get fewer items... Going through a rough time today, went by several pantries and food banks. Turns out that Thursday is a popular day to not distribute any food. I was advised to come by here and that the people here are nice and accommodating. I arrived and was immediately assisted by an older woman whom was very kind and sweet, she directed me to a desk area where an annoyed looking younger woman sat, whom looked and sound like she didn't want to be bothered and was trying to get people out of her hair. When it came time to ask i attempt to ask if I can pay "half for less" and she told me its only 50 they dont offer any other help it is what it is and she couldn't direct me anywhere else. She said she can charge per item but I would end up paying more. I was stunned at the lack of dignity I recieved here....from this worker in particular. She was rude up until I didn't want to even try anymore, at that point she told me byyeeeee have a blessed day! I had brought with me paperwork and everything to show I was disabled and in need just to get by for the remainder of the week but I felt super unwelcome.

    Familes Forward - foodbanks - Updated June 2026

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