Little free pantry update, and a request for help — I’ve been keeping an eye out it, and in the last few days, other people have contributed food items (thank you!), and two things have gone — peanut butter and canned tuna. I checked some lists of what food pantries are most in need of, and those are high on the list, so I’ve ordered some more, and we’re going to try to keep those in stock there; I’ll be adding canned chicken too.
Again, if you’re in a position to give funds, locally, Beyond Hunger is a great organization to donate to — they have far more reach than we do, and can buy in bulk and make your money go further. The main point of having a LFP is that it’s hyper-local, that we can try to take care of our immediate neighbors on surrounding blocks.
To that end, I want to add some flyers to our LFP telling them what other options are out there. Someone who’s just moved to the neighborhood might not know about Beyond Hunger, or about Oak Park Mutual Aid.
And while I know that some of the churches do food distribution, I don’t know any specifics. If you’re local, can you help me crowdsource a list of relevant local resources? Dropping relevant info in the comments would be much appreciated. Thanks!
KiwiKids is a program to granites by many local Jewish agencies. They provide a weekly kosher food box with enough food for 7 breakfasts and lunches for all the kids in a household. It also comes with a weekly produce box. Gluten-free boxes are available.
Pickup is on Thursday near Touhy and McCormick. You do NOT need to be Jewish to get the boxes.
https://jewishchicago.info/kiwi-kids/
From our local Community of Congregations:
The Community of Congregations is looking for ways to help one another. Due to the pandemic, and the resultant economic hardships, our neighbors on the west side are facing severe food insecurity. What can Community of Congregations do to help?
CoC is proud to announce an initiative to provide food to our neighbors in need. CoC will be partnering with Top Box Foods to procure boxes of healthy food. New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, in West Garfield Park, has graciously agreed to help distribute the boxes.
Our first distribution day will be Thursday, September 10th at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Our goal is to distribute at least 500 boxes over the next three months.
We invite those who are able to donate to contribute to the cost of these boxes.
An anonymous donor has agreed to MATCH the first $3,000 raised.
If you are able, please consider supporting our initiative. In this time of difficulty and social distancing, it is an opportunity to reach out and show our neighbors that we care. Please click the Donate button to contribute.
Click here to donate…
Your donation will provide one of two options to your neighbor in need:
$30 box contains:
12-15 lbs Produce Essentials
3 lbs. Chicken Breast
2 lbs Penne Pasta
$50 box contains:
12-15 lbs Produce Essentials
3 lbs. Chicken Breast
2 lbs of Ground Beef
2 lbs of Tilapia
2 lbs Pork Roast
1 lb Penne Pasta
Thank you so much for your support!
Community of Congregations Team