Pantry director Joanne Anderson says the pantry is holding its annual chicken dinner on January 20th from 4 p-m to 7:30 p-m at The Depot Restaurant in Virginia.

“It really helps us to meet our goal of being able to supply enough food for the 340 or so families a month we provide food for,” says Anderson.

     The pantry is open one day a month for those living in Cass County.

“We have the income guidelines from DHS that we go by and we show [families] that income guideline,” says Anderson. “They decide whether they qualify or not.”

     Anderson says each family gets between $75 to $100 worth of groceries.

     She says the food pantry has been able to fill the shelves this year.

“We did real well over the holidays but usually this time of year things kind of slack off,” says Anderson. “This time of the year we’re usually a little short so [the dinner] helps our treasury come up with enough food for these families.”

     Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. They’re available at the door and several locations in Virginia including The Depot Restaurant, Virginia City Hall and Petefish, Skiles and Company Bank. Tickets are also available by calling Anderson at 473-5638.

     Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at anytime by sending checks payable to Cass County Food Pantry to 138 South Main, Virginia, Illinois 62691.