Monee Township Board Restructures Food Pantry to Secure Non-Profit Status

Monee Township Board Meeting | June 19, 2025

Article Summary: The Monee Township Board has initiated the creation of a separate legal entity for its food pantry to achieve 501(c)(3) status. This move, which includes the appointment of three township officials to the new pantry board, is intended to facilitate a partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Food Pantry Restructuring Key Points:

• New Legal Structure: The township is forming a separate entity for the pantry to meet 501(c)(3) requirements.

• Board Appointments: Supervisor Donna Dettbarn and Trustees Deborah Burgess and Terri L. Boles will serve on the new pantry board.

• Legal Counsel Hired: The Board approved hiring Attorney Brad McCann at $350 per hour to assist with the formation of the new organization.

The Monee Township Board on Thursday, June 19, 2025, voted to fundamentally restructure the governance of its food pantry, authorizing the creation of a separate legal entity to secure 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

According to the meeting agenda, the push for the tax-exempt status is driven by a desire to partner with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. During the Attorney’s Report, it was explained that achieving this status requires the pantry to exist as an entity separate from the township government. This new entity requires its own board of directors.

The Township Board agreed that Supervisor Donna Dettbarn, Trustee Deborah Burgess, and Trustee Terri L. Boles would serve as members of the new Pantry Board.

To navigate the legal complexities of this transition, the Board voted unanimously to approve an agreement with Attorney Brad McCann. McCann will work in conjunction with Township Attorney Mario P. Carlasare to form the new entity. The agreement authorizes McCann to work for three to five hours at a rate of $350.00 per hour. The motion to hire McCann was introduced by Trustee Billy Morgan and seconded by Trustee Burgess.