Politics & Government

Food Pantry Accepts Atheist's Check After Two Others Rebuff It

The latest in the controversy which started with a Morton Grove Parks commissioner refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. That prompted the American Legion to withdraw its donation money.


A strange and winding tale in Morton Grove has ended with the Niles Township Food Pantry receiving $3,000 to feed the  hungry. 

Township Supervisor Lee Tamraz said the check, which came from donations Hemant Mehta, who writes the FriendlyAtheist.com blog, collected on gofundme.com, has been deposited, according to Bugle Newspapers. 

Earlier: Atheist Can't Believe No Charities Will Take His Donation

The story began when Morton Grove American Legion Post 134 pulled its annual donation from the Morton Grove Park District after members became displeased that one parks commissioner refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at park district meetings.

That prompted Mehta to collect donations to replace the lost American Legion funding for the park district, saying he wanted to support Ashta's right not to stand for the Pledge, which is constitutionally protected.  However, both the Morton Grove Park District and the Morton Grove Library Board declined the funding. 

Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here