Fresh produce returns to the food pantry

This Saturday (October 24), fresh produce will return to the South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, 1347 S. State Street. Starting this month, the food pantry will be offering fresh produce, along with their regular food distribution, on the fourth Saturday of each month.

The food pantry is open every Saturday 9 – 11 a.m. serving those in need in Cook County. Clients can come to the food pantry every week if they need to.

Images from the client BBQ

On September 27, 2014, the South Loop Community Church Food Pantry held a BBQ for clients. The weather was perfect and we had a great turnout. The weekend was one of the nicest this season, but we’re bracing ourselves for another cold Chicago winter.

The food pantry is open every Saturday from 9 - 11 a.m. The food pantry serves residents of Cook County. Clients may visit the food pantry every Saturday. Fresh produce is distributed the first three Saturdays of every month. All food is available at not charge. Clothes are distributed, during food pantry hours, the second and third Saturdays of every month. We have clothes and accessories for men, women, and children and are available free of charge.

For more information on the food pantry, click on the about tab at the top of the page.

South Loop Pantry volunteer opportunities meeting August 20, 2014

South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, 1347 S. State St., is looking for volunteers to help with their food pantry and clothes closet ministries. The church will be holding a brief introduction meeting on volunteer opportunities, Wednesday August 20, 2014 at 7:15 p.m.

The food pantry serves between 85 and 100 walk-ins every week.

In operation for over two years, the food pantry serves between 85 and 100 walk-ins every week. If you’re looking for a way to serve or give back to your community, volunteering at the food pantry might be for you. The food pantry needs volunteers on Saturday mornings, when food distribution takes place, as well as during the week to help with accepting food deliveries and restocking shelves.

The food pantry offers free produce three times a month.

Food distribution is every Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Three times a month, the pantry also offers fresh produce. The clothes closet distributes clothes and accessories for men, women, and children twice a month. The clothes closet operates the second and third Saturdays of every month during the food distribution. After food pantry clients get their food, they can look at clothing.

Click here to download this flyer.

The food pantry has partnered with local businesses, like Overflow Coffee Bar, Marianos, Pret A Manger, and Urban Re-Mix, and community organizations like Greater South Loop Association (GSLA). The GSLA contributed $1000 to the help the pantry buy turkeys last year for Thanksgiving baskets.

For more information, visit the church’s Web site or contact them via e-mail at southloopcommunitychurch@gmail.com or call the church office at 312.566.9076.

For a look at how the food pantry operates, check out this post from local South Loop blogger Bonnie McGrath.

If you would like to promote this volunteer event in your building or office, click here to download flyer.


Full disclosure: The writer of this blog is a regular volunteer at the South Loop Community Church Food Pantry. It’s been a rewarding experience serving folks in need from our neighborhood.

South Loop Food Pantry looks for volunteers

To download a flyer, click here.

South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, 1347 S. State St., is looking for volunteers to help with their food pantry and clothes closet ministries. The church will be holding a brief introduction meeting on volunteer opportunities, Wednesday July 16, 2014 at 7:15 p.m.

In operation for over two years, the food pantry serves between 85 and 100 walk-ins every week. If you’re looking for a way to serve or give back to your community, volunteering at the food pantry might be for you. The food pantry needs volunteers on Saturday mornings, when food distribution takes place, as well as during the week to help with accepting food deliveries and restocking shelves.

Food distribution is every Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Three times a month, the pantry also offers fresh produce.
The clothes closet distributes clothes and accessories for men, women, and children twice a month. The clothes closet operates the second and third Saturdays of every month during the food distribution. After food pantry clients get their food, they can look at clothing.

The food pantry has partnered with local businesses, like Overflow Coffee Bar, Marianos, Pret A Manger, and Urban Remix, and community organizations like Greater South Loop Association (GSLA). The GSLA contributed $1000 to the help the pantry buy turkeys last year for Thanksgiving baskets.

For more information, visit the church’s Web site or contact them via e-mail at southloopcommunitychurch@gmail.com or call the church office at 312.566.9076.

For a look at how the food pantry operates, check out this post from local South Loop blogger Bonnie McGrath.

Food Pantry open this Saturday, July 5, 2104

The South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, 1347 S. State St., will be open July 5, 2014, 9-11 a.m. Due to the holiday weekend, there will be fresh produce, but bags of groceries will be available. Fresh produce will be distributed July 12 and 19.

Have a happy and safe July 4th holiday weekend!

Produce this Saturday, April 5, 2014

Food Pantry Hours: Every Saturday 9 - 11 a.m.
The first three Saturdays of the month, the SLCC food pantry offers fresh produce. April 5 is the first Saturday of the month. We never know what kind of produce we’ll be offering until the morning it is delivered. In the past, we’ve had apples, oranges, lettuce, onions, potatoes, pears, cucumbers, carrots, and more. Clients are welcome to take as much produce as they can carry. We have produce bags, but clients should feel free to bring their own grocery bags, if they have them.

All clients will receive a bag of nonperishable food items

Along with the fresh produce, clients will also receive a bag of nonperishable food items. And while they last, sandwiches and salads courtesy of Pret A Manger.

Salads and sandwiches, while they last, from Pret A Manger

Thank you, volunteers!

Volunteers from BP- NAGP
At SLCC Food Pantry, we are fortunate to have so many people from the community, churches, and businesses volunteer. These volunteers help with food distribution, pack grocery bags, organize and clean the pantry room, you name it; they get put to work. And it’s a great help to us; we couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. We had some wonderful volunteers from BP-NAGP. Thanks, guys! It was great having you; hope you can volunteer again soon.

Volunteers from BP-NAGP

This past Saturday (October 19), we had 93 walk-ins. Over 100 individuals benefited from good, nourishing food, including fresh produce. The food pantry offers fresh produce on the first, second, and third Saturdays of the month. Saturday we had fresh salad, red cabbage, whole carrots, and cherry tomatoes. The next date for fresh produce is November 2, 2013.

Clothes twice a month
Along with fresh food distribution every Saturday, we offer free clothing for men, women, and children on the second and third Saturdays. If you have some gently used clothing that you’re not wearing anymore—including winter coats—please consider donating them. For more information on what and how to donate, click here.

Cherry tomatoes distributed on Saturday

Thanksgiving turkey distribution November 23, 2013
Thanks to a generous donation from the Greater South Loop Association, we will be distributing turkeys for Thanksgiving on Saturday, November 23, 2013 during normal food distribution hours, 9-11 a.m.

Volunteers needed
We’re always in need of volunteers every Saturday and during the week. Even though distribution takes place only once a week, the work of the food pantry is continuous throughout the week. The pantry itself needs to be stocked, boxes need to be broken down, freezers and refrigerators need to be cleaned out, and so on. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact food pantry coordinator, Rosa Ellis at ellislaine@sbcglobal.net.