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U.S. Sen. Duckworth tours Midwest Veterans Closet, promises to continue support for 'God's work' it does

Lake County News-Sun - 8/16/2021

Aug. 17—U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth visited the North Chicago-based Midwest Veterans Closet Saturday.

Duckworth toured the nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, furniture and housewares at no cost, and is a support system to local veterans and active duty members.

Midwest Veterans Closet founder Mary Carmody showed Duckworth the location where the organization currently operates its pantry and free store at 2323 Green Bay Road.

Following the tour, Duckworth was greeted with a warm reception at the organization's new location at 1720 Green Bay Road where families gathered around a cookout, next to a garden tended by volunteers.

The reason for Duckworth's visit was to have a roundtable discussion with active service members, as well as veterans and their families about food insecurity, which they said they and others face regularly.

"It's wrong," Duckworth said. "It's a dishonor to all of us that anyone who wears this nation's cloth is hungry, or their family is hungry."

To combat the issue, Carmody and her team of volunteers provided 372,000 pounds of food last year at the 300-square-foot food pantry.

The hope is to raise $2 million to build a structure that can house a bigger pantry at the new location, which is land that was secured with the help of retired state Sen. Terry Link, she said.

The new construction would house a pantry, store, furniture warehouse and commercial kitchen. It would also allow the organization to stop paying rent at the current building, so that more money goes to the services offered.

All donations given to the Midwest Veterans Closet are free of charge to veterans, and active duty members and their families.

Carmody said many can't believe they can furnish their home and stock their refrigerators and pantries when they visit.

"It's why people donate to us," she said. "They know it all goes to our veterans."

The larger building will have enough space for several families to get their food at once at the pantry.

"Anyone who says there is no food insecurity should drive by in the middle of winter to see the line of veterans standing outside the pantry in the freezing cold waiting for their turn come in," Carmody said.

By working with Izzy Kharasch, who is known as co-founder and co-producer of the show "Bar Rescue," the Midwest Veterans Closet is planning to start a culinary education program.

Kharasch explained to Duckworth that by using the commercial kitchen as an education center, the focus would be on training veterans who can't find employment in culinary or hospitality work.

Duckworth inquired whether the program could also help those currently serving get a certificate or licensure that is the civilian equivalent of the job they're doing in the military.

That's an issue she's been working on for quite some time, although it's been a slow-moving process, she said.

Kharasch agreed it would be a great benefit.

While serving the country, he worked in food inspection and would have taken advantage of such a program, he said.

"When I left the military and went to culinary school, they didn't accept any of my credits — six years of military training in that industry," Kharasch said.

Once established, even military spouses could participate, they said.

Another project in the works in partnership with Kharasch is to assist in the making of business owners.

Navy veteran Luis Galvez of Waukegan, who was one of the cooks Saturday, is hoping to develop a unique salsa that can be sold in farmers markets and eventually in grocery stores.

Healthier food options at military bases was also brought up in the discussion, as well as the creation of healthy meal kits that busy active duty families could access.

Duckworth shook the hand of centenarian and World War II veteran Lorraine Knuth, who used the occasion of her birthday last year to fundraise for the building's construction.

Carmody said thanks to Knuth, $30,000 were raised.

Duckworth met and spoke with Gold Star mother of U.S. Army Ranger Specialist Joey Dimock.

Ellen Dimock of Grayslake gifted Duckworth a bracelet in her son's honor, which she immediately put on her wrist.

"It's a privilege to get to wear it," Duckworth said.

Duckworth's visit lasted an hour. Before leaving she posed for photos and promised to have her staff look into individual issues of families who shared kinks in the system that are keeping them from receiving their benefits.

She pledged to do anything she can to help the Midwest Veterans Closet continue to provide services, which she called God's work.

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(c)2021 the Lake County News-Sun (Lake County, Ill.)

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