Crystal Lake Food Pantry — Attraction in Crystal Lake

I am grateful for the volunteers helping others in need, however, I have had an extremely mixed experience at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Several times I have come for food assistance, I've had negative encounters with the volunteers only at the front part of the food pantry. Three separate instances that I want to highlight showcase the calmness and patience of these people.

I was berated by Donna for coming to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry instead of Cary, even though it was explained that CL is easier to get access and I am within the address boundary area for CL.

One morning a small group I was with was yelled at by a gentleman for standing outside in line and lining up according to written/posted policy when others had clearly disregarded the posted policy by lining up bags as placeholders and then sitting in their cars until just minutes before opening time.

On my most recent visit, I learned from a lady shouting at the counter that a shared address with roommates is apparently a CL Food Pantry issue in the system. This also led to the lady at the front counter demanding information as to how food is stored and where it is kept.

Coming to the food pantry to ask for help is hard enough, but having these interactions on top of it all makes me want to find somewhere else to get that assistance, or just figure it out on my own. The point of volunteering at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry is to help those in need. Experiencing these types of interactions is so upsetting and demeaning, and frankly, I find these moments unacceptable. If you intend to receive help here, prepare to be yelled at by someone who is having a...

The saddest, negative experience with "the front desk devil receptionist". I went inside to ask info about the food pantry, since I've never been there before it was my first time at this food pantry. 😞 the way this old lady in that desk looked and talk to us was the saddest thing ever (to not curse). The moment I opened that door her body and facial expression said it all. By the way I'm Hispanic. So i wanted to get information about how to get pantry but she immediately said "you need a number" so I grabbed a number. She was like no! And she shows me a little card and says "I NEED YOUR NUMBER" 😶 SO I proceeded to tell her, I don't have one. I wanted to ask... And she cut me off and said,WHERE DO YOU LIVE! 😔 I said my city and she's like " No! You are not from this area, I can't give you anything" All I can do is give you a box of dry food and 2 bags of bread. 🫨🤦 That's it! That's all I can do. She looked bother that we were there. So I told her No! I don't want it! So now that I rejected the food, her attitude changes and tries to be nice. She was like are you sure? I can give you the box and I stopped her immediately and said no thank you! I don't want it. With a calm voice and a smile on my face, I told her I will look somewhere else. Thank you! And left... Be kind! The world is full of ?S People we don't...

Every time I go or anyone I know goes they give us spoiled food! Like people are in need of food not trash. I mean I’ve gotten like 50% of my food spoiled. I know people are grateful it’s free but seriously why give spoiled food away? We are humans for crying out loud ! I’ve gotten milk that’s super spoiled and meat that is black and smelly, fruit that’s sour and fermented. I’ve gotten expired cereal and pasta. Even bread that has mold on it. The only thing that I’ve Received that’s not spoiled is cans and I can only do so much with tomato sauce and mixed fruit and corn. Any other pantry I’ve ever been to does not do this. Crystal lake is the worst. I have no choice but to go there and it really hurts to throw out food but I’m not trying to get sick after eating spoiled food. I try not to use their services. But the few times I’ve been there that’s just how it is. Everyone I know that has been there have the...