McDonald’s restaurants in Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Hampshire, Huntley and Marengo are raising funds for area food pantries.

Susan Singleton, owner of six local McDonald’s restaurants, said the idea to raise money for local food pantries was the brainchild of Tricia Nasta, a board member of the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. The summer frequently is a lean time for food pantries.

Singleton offered to include her local restaurants’ participation in the “Let’s Put The Freeze on Hunger” program, and began donating 5 cents from each ice cream cone sold at those restaurants during July and August to the local food pantry.