People tend to overspend on Christmas gifts, even though they are not seen in the streets; many of them are online shopping.

According to Alliant, around $721 billion are spent on Christmas shopping every year.

As stores begin to have discounts before Thanksgiving, buyers begin their Christmas shopping and it gives stores an opportunity to offer more discounts and deals that sound pleasing to buyers.

To add on, multiple articles published wrote about, ‘10 ways to spend less on Christmas shopping’ to ‘How to do Christmas shopping on a budget’ instead of mentioning how and where to donate for food pantries.

The money overspent on Christmas gifts could go for a greater cause rather than gifts that you’ll eventually end up throwing away or not using.

Christmas is a time of giving back to those who are in need and to those who can help out others.

A lot of food pantries are in need of money and food donations during this time of the year and are places where those in need can go to receive help.  

Now the question is, what nearby food pantry could use the money that is overspent on Christmas gifts?

Northern Illinois Food Bank is the answer.

Anyone can donate food, money or their time to help others in this time of year.  

The food bank provides meals to people in need through various programs and partnerships.

Multiple organizations around the community can use the money that is spent on Christmas gifts to help those in need.

People can donate on the Northern Illinois Food Bank website or receive more information on how to volunteer.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is located at 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, and closed Sunday and open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.