Local Pantries Feeding Our Communities

One of the many challenges facing our community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was an increase in food insecurity. Our amazing local nonprofits rose to meet this challenge and feed our neighbors. Our local pantries noticed two key struggles emerging at the same time—the increase in food insecurity and economic impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry—and devised creative solutions to address both. In the spring of 2020, Lakeview Pantry launched Feed it Forward, which purchased chef-prepared boxed meals from local restaurant partners to support local restaurants while feeding the community. During the program’s peak in spring of 2020, up to 10,000 meals were prepared and distributed. Around the same time, Common Pantry in Northcenter launched the I Am Your Neighbor meal program, which is still active, providing healthy, ready-to-eat meals from local restaurants to hungry neighbors. With support from donors, local Chambers, restaurants and the community at large, restaurants would receive a monetary “tab” to cover the cost of providing these meals. Collaboration for our local pantries expanded beyond restaurants. In addition to their partnerships with social service agencies like Thresholds, Lakeview Pantry worked alongside the Chicago Cubs to set up a massive emergency pantry outside Wrigley Field. Common Pantry’s collaborations included purchasing produce from Global Gardens Refugee Training Farm, a dual fundraising effort with the Northcenter Chamber through our Hop, Stop ‘N’ Run 5K and the regular First Wednesday Food Drive from the Northcenter Neighborhood Association. Common Pantry Director Margaret O’Conor highlights the efforts of one neighbor, David Reinisch, who has baked fresh bread for the neighbors Common Pantry serves every week. “Our community is Common Pantry,” she says. And our local pantries are continuing to expand services to meet the needs of the community. Lakeview Pantry is continuing their online market, an option that allows for consumer choice and convenient curbside pickup, along with their home delivery program. In May of 2021, Common Pantry purchased a new space at 3900 N. Lincoln that will allow them to serve the community more efficiently and with greater capacity. The economic impact and subsequent recovery for our most vulnerable neighbors from the past year is still unfolding, and our local pantries are prepared to meet those challenges. You can support Common Pantry or Lakeview Pantry by signing up to volunteer online, making a donation, teaming up with your coworkers, school or block or even just staying in touch by following on social media! Photo Credit: Common Pantry

47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin’s Office ........................ 38 A-1 Jewelry & Coin, Ltd................... 40 AAA Catalyst Insurance Group....... 40 ABC Communications..................... 40 Academic Angle...............................12 A-Carr’s Carstar Autobody ............. 32 Access Contemporary Music...........14 Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions ..... 36 Addison Street Community Church.16 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center ............................... 20 AeroPay........................................... 38 Affinity Dental ................................. 20 A. Gonzalez Insurance Agency LLC 40 A.J. Hudson’s Public House ............. 8 Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School...........................14 Alexandra Jamroz Designs............. 32 Alex’s Music Studio..........................14 All About Fun Entertainment .......... 38 Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter.................................16 American Family Insurance John Kent Agency........................... 40 ANDCO Management, Ltd. ............. 28 Anderson Coverage Group LLC...... 32 Anixter Center..................................16 Anytime Fitness-North Center ....... 20 A Pretty Flower ............................... 38 Arko Architecture............................ 32 Artis Senior Living Lakeview ...........16 A Secret Closet ............................... 32 Associated Bank - Lori Novak ........ 32 Audra Kurth Counseling ................. 20 Augustyn Family Services .............. 20 Awakenings .....................................12 Back 2 School Illinois.......................16 Baird & Warner North Center ......... 28 Baird & Warner Real Estate Mike McCallum ............................... 28 Baird & Warner Real EstateWilma Johnson ............................... 28 Bari Zaki Studio............................... 38 Bartoli’s Pizzeria ............................... 8 Basant Company............................... 8 Basil Financial Group...................... 38 Begyle Brewing Co. .......................... 8 Begyle Brewing Co. ........................ 36 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago | Anne Rodia ..................... 28 Bespoke Esthetics .......................... 22 Bethany Retirement Community.....16 Be Well. The Art of Asian Therapies .............................. 20 Big Blue Swim School......................14 Big Buzz Idea Group ....................... 40 Birch Road Cellar .............................. 8 Black Bear Academy Chicago Private................................12 Bloom Yoga Studio ......................... 22 Blue Bird Day ...................................12 Blue Havana Cigar Shop................. 38 Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe...............8, 16 Blush Beauty Studio ....................... 22 Bo’s Concessions............................ 38 Bosly’s Backyard ............................ 38 Botanical Cafe................................... 8 Bottles & Cans ................................ 36 Bradley Business Center ................ 28 Bras Galore ..................................... 32 Brian Allendorfer Company, Inc..... 38 Bright Future Realty INC................. 28 BrightSmiles Pediatric Dentistry.... 20 Brightview Landscapes .................. 40 Brownstone Tavern & Grill................ 8 Btrainerfitness ................................ 20 Bughouse Theater ............................ 8 Burning Bush Brewery................ 8, 36 Byron’s Hot Dogs .............................. 8 Calibr Merchant Services ............... 36 Campbell Street Asset Management......................... 28 Canna Bella Lux .............................. 38 Capoeira Brasil Chicago: Colibri .............................. 22 Carpet Cleaning Chicago ............... 36 Celtic Crown Public House............... 8 Centered Therapy Chicago ............ 20 CG Realty Group ............................. 28 Chamber Music at Bethany .............14 Chicago Charter Bus Company...... 38 Chicago City Soccer Club ................12 Chicago Engineer’s Foundation......16 Chicago Fret Works ........................ 40 Chicago Montessori.........................14 Chicago North Center Fit Body Boot Camp........................ 20 Chicago Rowing Foundation...........12 Chicago’s Pizza ................................. 8 Chicago Vein Institute & Chicago Cosmetic Institute ............ 20 CHIRP Radio.....................................16 Cindi Sodolski Group Compass Real Estate...................... 28 CircEsteem.......................................12 CityBase.......................................... 36 City Grange..................................... 38 City Tree Delivery ........................... 38 Closet Outfitters ............................. 38 Clubhouse Therapy Centers........... 22 Club Pilates North Center............... 22 CMIT Solutions of Chicago ............. 38 Cobblestone Remodeling, Inc........ 38 Cobblestone Restaurant .................. 8 Coconut Yoga.................................. 22 Coffee Joint, Inc................................ 8 Cole’s Appliance & Furniture Co. ... 40 Common Pantry...............................16 Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4).....................................16 Compass ......................................... 28 Compass Health Center ................. 20 Computerease ................................ 38 Concordia Place...............................12 Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen, 12th District......... 38 Cookie Spin by Innovative Indulgences .................... 8 Coonley Elementary School ............14 Cooper Financial Planning ............. 38 Cork Lounge ..................................... 8 Corn Productions.............................. 8 CPR Cell Phone Repair ................... 36 Cricket Wireless (A & B Wireless Inc.)36 Curtain Couture .............................. 40 Cusp Dental .................................... 20 Dance Center Chicago.....................12 Daniela’s Facial Studio ................... 32 DANK Haus German American Cultural Center.................................16 Da Sorce.......................................... 36 David L. Hoyt Education Foundation.......................................12 Davis Theater.................................... 8 Delmark Records LLC ......................14 DePaul College Prep .......................14 Derrig Builders & Management...... 28 Design Seed, Inc............................. 32 Dip and Sip Donuts........................... 8 Dizzy Cow Candies and Curiosities 36 Donna Shultz Graphic Designer..... 40 Donohoe Pediatrics........................ 22 Dovetail Brewery, Inc. ................ 8, 36 Drs. Valdes & Kulekowskis Podiatry Center............................... 22 Duke Animal Hospital ..................... 42 Dun-Wel Lithograph Co. ................. 40 Dupli-Group .................................... 40 Eclipse Theatre Company................. 8 Eddie Patel, CFP ............................. 32 Edward Jones Luis Novo Financial Advisor ........... 38 Eighth Blackbird...............................14 Eileen Dordek LCSW....................... 20 Eilts & Associates, Inc..................... 32 E&J Foreign Cars ............................ 32 Elpida Tax Services Inc................... 32 embellish chicago........................... 32 Embrace Sexual Wellness, LLC ...... 20 Empowering Options Counseling Innovations ..................................... 20 Enrollment Specialists.................... 40 Erasing the Distance......................... 8 Erwin Law LLC................................. 32 Eversfield Counseling & T herapy PLLC.................................... 20 Family Picnic, LLC ............................16 Family Tree Resale.......................... 38 Ferguson Enterprises ..................... 42 Fettes, Love & Sieben Plumbing & Heating........................ 40 Fifth Third Bank .............................. 32 Fit City Kids ..................................... 20 Fix It People .................................... 38 Formed Space................................. 38 Forward Chicago .............................16 Foundation for Hearing & Speech Rehabilitation .....................16 Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center ............................... 38 Four Star Brass Band...................... 38 Freshworks Dental Studio .............. 20 Friends of Ravenswood School.......16 F.T. Karall Co................................... 32 Fulton Grace Realty ........................ 28 Furlong Investment Solutions ........ 38 Galter LifeCenter ............................ 20 Gannon’s Pub.................................... 8 GB Group Inc. Insurance Agency ... 40 Geek Chicago ................................. 42 German International School Chicago................................14 Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre Company ............................. 8 GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago................16 Goldfish Swim School......................14 Gotcha Covered Window Fashions 40 Great Clips - Lincoln Square........... 36 Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce ...................16 Greenfields Academy ......................14