Unselfish Lady Providing Help To Those In Need

PAGE 12, THE JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4,1987 Self Help Closet Unselfish Lady Providing Help To Those In Need By RENEE RANKIN We are all familiar with promotions such as “Live Aid”, “Farm Aid”, and the “We Are The World” campaign foi the people of Africa. Fortunately, there is an organization in Des Plaines which also assists the needy. That service is the Self Help Closet and Food Pantry, and its founder and co-chairman is Mrs. Veta Jacobsen. Several years ago, Veta was director of the second language program run by- Church Women United. It’s function was to teach local immigrants how to speak English. Classes were held at the First Congregational Church of Des Plaines where Veta is a member. Mrs. Jacobsen observed that many of the children and adults in the classes did not have adequate clothing and so she started the Self Help Closet to fill that need. The closet was open after English classes so the students could con- veniently select the articles of clothing they required. During the 10 years that Veta was involved in the second language program, the classes swelled so dramatically that the church was not able to accomodate the students and the Des Plaines Library eventually took over the project. But the Self Help Goset has remained since its inception Feature Corner in 1971, and has expanded to offer food staples, meat, and government butter and cheese from the Chicago Food Depository. Recalls Veta, “Many of the little children did not even have underwear or shoes. It saddened me and I sur- mised that these people were probably not eating well, and malnutrition can affect a child’s growth both mentally and physically.” Today, due in large pari to Veta’s exhaustive efforts, the closet sen es approximately 120 to 160 families a month with four or five members in each family unit. During the last two sessions when the closet was open, 159 people attended, helping themselves at no charge, to much needed items of clothing and food. Gail Haus, community outreach coordinator for Des Plaines, is on hand during these sessions to screen ap- plicants. Gail makes sure that they meet the income requirements to qualify for the government dairy products as well as provide additional information to the clientel for financial Ready to serve Dm Plaines area people in need, the Self Help Closet has been In operation since 1971 at the First Congregational Church. Its organizer, Veta Jacobsen, assists one of the many people who visit the center that offers everything from meats and butter to clothing. (Journal Photos by Steve Hansen) Long time Des Plaines resident Veta Jacobsen sorts out some of the dozens of shoes offered to area people in need at the Self Help Closet located in the First Congregational Church, 766 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines. and other means of assistance available to them. “The majority of people who come to the closet earn between $350 and $600 a month.” says Haus. “One family of nine is living on a mere $1,000 a month and it’s difficult to imagine how many of these people survive.” Yet at the closet, the needy do not appear to be pre-occupied with their own misfourtune but rather inquire about the health and well-being of the volunteers. One can hear numerous cheerful gi etings and gracious thank vous. The poor exchange handshakes and embraces with volunteers and engage in light coversation. For the patrons of the closet are not just provided with material items and nutritional needs, but are given comfort in the knowledge that someone truly cares about them. They are instilled with the inspiration to go on and hope that their lives, or the lives of their children, will improve some day. There is a sense of warmth and fellowship that one has to experience to totally comprehend. The Congregational Church spends about $12,000 a year on food, and it is nearly impossible to estimate the dollar value of the clothing as mo6t of it is second-hand. Individuals are given bags filled to the brim with fruits, vegetables, meat and desserts to enable mothers to prepare well-balanced meals. The amount of food distributed is determined by the number of members in eacn family. Presently, the closet has two neatly arranged rooms of clothes categorized by size of the clothing and age and gender of the individual. At time, the sweaters, coats and baby items over- flow into the crowded hallways. However, Veta points out that they can never stock too much clothing, especially during the frigid winter months, and that currently they are extremely low on spring jackets for yoqngsters. During the Christmas holidays, an endless array of toys, games and dolls are displayed so parents can select what they feel their little boy or girl would enjoy. Often, these gifts from the closet are the only presents under the tree on Christmas morning. On Thanksgiving, families are treated to their traditional feast of turkey and sweet potatoes. This worthwhile service is supported mostly by the Congregational Church, with further assistance from other community churches, civic groups and a limited number of companies The closet is ecumenical in nature, so there is an open invitation to people of all faiths to volunteer their time or to donate items or money. Veta accepts canned food, clothing and all types of household items such as bedding and furniture. Only 20 percent of the needy who visit the church are on welfare, while the rest are gainfully employed. All are desperately try ing to make it on their own. Although many of the less for- tunate are striving to maintain their households on a pityfully low budget, often the grateful recipients dig deep into their pockets for what little spare change they have to give to the closet Their pride and morals prevent them from taking something for nothing Occassionally, patrons will offer hand made gifts or home-baked goods as a token of their appreciation, simply stating that these gifts are “from the heart”. And from the heart is the premise that Veta operates under. At age 78. running the project is quite tiresome as it requires as much time and energy as a full-time job. “It’s almost like owning a small business,” she addes. Jacobsen's responsibilities encompass handling phone inquiries, logging in of clients and donations, public relations and various other duties. Luckily, Veta has 15 to 20 loyal volunteers who help in any way they can. This selfless lady makes constant personal sacrifices of her own time to devote to the closet, leaving her few opporunities to pursue leisure activities “But”, says Veta, “I have a lot of empathy for these individuals, especially single mothers with young children to care for. Too many people would suffer if this valuable service was discontinued as it fills such an important need in our community .” Jacobsen admits that the pantry keeps her too busy at times and it’s a standing joke among her acquaintances that “you can never find Veta at home”. Surprisingly, she does manage to squeeze into her hectic schedule time to attend meetings of the Des Plaines Women’s Gub and to serve on four church committees. Veta was very involved in the creation of the Des Plaines Art Guild and she presently holds the title of librarian. Veta is aware that some residents are (Continued on page 28)