Give to NABA Food Drive through Dec. 15

• Reprints

Updated: January 13, 2012 10:30AM

The North Avenue Business Association’s sixth annual Fall Food Drive, runs now through Dec. 15. The NABA invites the community to help with its food drive. The association is not only reaching out to area businesses for donations, but also to customers, neighbors and community organizations, so that more families in need can be helped this holiday season.

Suggested items for donation include: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, diapers, toilet paper, rice, beans, canned fruit, canned vegetables, jello, peanut butter, tomato sauce, macaroni and cheese, cereal and pasta. Donated items can be dropped off at the following NABA member businesses, on and around North Avenue, now through Dec. 15:

ABC Bank, 6400 W. North Ave., Chicago

Al-Mart Furniture & Bedding, 7045 W. North Ave., Oak Park

FirstMerit Bank, 1601 N. Harlem Ave., Elmwood Park

Serrelli’s Finer Foods, 6454 W. North Ave., Chicago

US Bank, 6011 W. North Ave., Oak Park

Harbor Academy, an alternative high school, at 6525 W. North Ave., in Oak Park, is also participating. Students are collecting nonperishable food items for donations and also filling up back-packs with donated items for teens in need. Grammar school kids from Sayre Language Academy, at 1850 N. Newland in Chicago, are also participating in the food drive. North Avenue Dentists are donating toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Donated items will benefit two local food pantries. St. Cyprian’s Ecumenical Food Pantry at 6535 W. Irving Park Road, in Chicago. The phone number is (773) 283-9178; and the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry at 845 W. Lake St., in Oak Park. The pantry can be reached at (708) 386-1324. In lieu of food donations, personal checks to the pantries are welcome.

“The need is so great,” said Wendy Tannenbaum, NABA’s president. “This is an opportunity for the businesses and the community at large to work together to reach out and assist those in need.”

The North Avenue Business Association was established in 2000. NABA’s mission is to enhance the overall commercial district’s image and promote the long-term viability of the business district on North Avenue located currently between, but not limited to, Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard.

For more information about the North Avenue Business Association and the 2011 Fall Food Drive, contact NABA’s President Wendy Tannenbaum at info.naba@yahoo.com.