How to Support Community Hope Center This Holiday Season

Our Daily Show Interview! Sparks & Community Hope Center: Toy and Food Drive

ALTON/COTTAGE HILLS - Community Hope Center has started a campaign to raise money for a major building project while finalizing their food and toy drives ahead of the holiday season.

Christy, the executive director of Community Hope Center, said the center has just 44 days left to raise the $8,000 they need to reach their $100,000 goal. This money will go toward building repairs, including a new HVAC system, a new roof, and more.

“It’s kind of one of those big projects that just has to happen, or we will be unable to sustain our funding from our other entities,” she explained. “This is what it’s all about: community.”

Community Hope Center focuses on combating food insecurity by providing groceries to at least 50 families every day. They also provide clothing and optional spiritual guidance for those who want it. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, they open their kitchen for a free hot lunch.

As the holidays approach, Community Hope Center has partnered with community organizations and businesses like Sparks Junk Removal and Hauling to collect food and toys for their clients.

Denise, owner of Sparks Junk Removal and Hauling, noted that people can drop off nonperishable food items at her location at 2201 East Broadway in Alton from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. She also hopes to fill a 16-foot box truck with new, unwrapped toys.

“There are so many people out there that need this,” Denise said. “I think, with the community coming together and involving Community Hope, that we can bring in a lot of food and maybe some monetary donations. Sparks is going to be reaching out to all of the customer base on the junk removal side, on the dumpster side, on the weekly trash side, because we have a lot of people.”

In the next month, Christy explained that families will come to Community Hope Center to pick out toys for their kids. She joked that this “Christmas on steroids” is a great experience for families, and she encouraged people to donate wherever possible so Community Hope Center can continue serving community members and families throughout the Riverbend.

“Everyone has a story,” she added, highlighting the importance of giving back.

For more information about Community Hope Center and their work, including how to support them, visit their official website at CHCIL.org or their official Facebook page.

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