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.

South Loop Community Church to offer women’s clothing for sale

South Loop Community Church, 1347 S. State St., will be offering new and gently used women’s clothing the third Saturday of each month starting September 19, 2015. The time will coincide with the hours of the church’s food pantry, 9 – 11 a.m.

Name brand and designer clothes for women on racks for browsing

For $20 ($30 for a larger bage) customers will get a shopping bag (see picture below) that they can fill with clothes. All sales will be in cash. No checks, no credit cards. There will be no returns, exchanges, or layaways. There is no limit on shopping. Clothes for sale will include designer and name brands.

For $20 you can fill the above bag up with clothes.

The church will still  offer donated, gently used clothing for both men and women free of charge.

Join Benny’s Chop House in the fight against hunger

Join Benny’s Chop House in the fight against hunger as part of the Second Annual “86 Hunger” campaign.

During September 2015, Hunger Action Month, enjoy our S’Mores Cheesecake, and 10% of sales will
be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The S’mores Cheesecake is the perfect way to end your evening at Benny’s Chop House!

Lunch and dinner, 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.

444 North Wabash 312-626-2444
www.bennyschophouse.com

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.

Client BBQ this Saturday September 27, 2014

The South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, 1347 S. State St., will host a BBQ for food pantry clients, Saturday September 27 from 12 to 2 p.m. There is not cost to attend.

The menu will consist of beef and turkey hot dogs, chips, cake, lemonade and iced tea.

The food pantry will be open for its normal food distribution (9 to 11 a.m.) on the 27th.

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!

29th Annual Hunger Walk June 21, 2014

Event Day—Soldier Field Chicago
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Registration: 7 a.m.
Step-Off: 8:30 a.m.

On Saturday, June 21, thousands of men, women and children will gather on Chicago’s lakefront to raise funds and awareness for the fight to end hunger in Cook County. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of businesses, organizations and individuals to help ensure their neighbors get the food they need.

The 5K, 3.1 mile Hunger Walk benefits pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County that are members of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network.

Support a local food pantry
The South Loop Community Church. 1347 S. State St., operates a food pantry every Saturday from 9-11 a.m. If you’d like to walk in support of SLCC Food Pantry, click here for a form with their agency name and number already entered. For every walker the food pantry gets $12 that they can use to purchase food from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. For a blank form, click here.

For more information on the Greater Chicago Food Depository, please visit their Web site.

Food, Clothes, and Produce this Saturday

Volunteers help prepare grocery bags
for distribution.

On Saturday, March 15, 2014, the SLCC Food Pantry will be distributing food and produce. We will also be distributing clothes and accessories for men, women, and children via the Clothes Ministry. Clothes are distributed the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month.

Produce is distributed on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturdays of every month. We never know exactly what type of produce we will have in advance, but we get is fresh and nutritious. We generally get a mix of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, apples, onions, pears, lettuce, and oranges. Clients can help themselves to as much produce as they can carry. Any produce left over is picked up by Pacific Garden Mission.

Non-perishable food items are pre-packed in grocery bags. Clients pick up a bag and are then given the protein available that particular week. We often have sausage, beef patties, and deli meat for distribution. Most clients will also receive day-old bread products from Mariano’s supermarket. Many will receive fresh sandwiches or salads from Pret-A-Manger as well.

Leftover produce is donated to Pacific Garden Mission.

We have a limited supply of toiletry items for clients with special needs or requests.

If you have any questions regarding the food pantry or would like to volunteer, please call 312.566.9076 or e-mail the church at southloopcommunitychurch@gmail.com

SLCC Food Pantry is a member agent of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Happy New Year from the SLCC Food Pantry!

We’re looking forward to serving the South Loop and Chicago communities in 2014. We’re very grateful for all the volunteers through the year, as well as the businesses and organizations that have assisted us.

This Saturday, January 4, 2014, we’ll be distributing food and fresh produce from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Christmas Toy Store

Volunteers get gifts ready for the toy store.

This year we had a Christmas Toy Store for two weeks during the operation of the food pantry. We had new toys for girls and boys for modest prices, many well below their original cost. The prices for toys ranged from a low of $1 to a high of $5; no toy was priced higher. Customers were able to buy up to five gifts during one visit to the toy store. We also had gift-wrapping available for those who requested it. We were delighted to have people from the neighborhood volunteer to help at the toy store, including several members of the Greater South Loop Association board. The GSLA helped us provide turkeys and fixings for our Thanksgiving food distribution by giving the pantry a generous donation of $1000. We distributed 120 turkeys on November 23, 2013.

Gift wrapping was available at the toy store.

Thank you, neighbors!
Thanks to Overflow Coffee Bar—Overflow has been a partner with the food pantry from the very start. Their have a food donation basket has been a constant source of nonperishable food items throughout the year. They just don’t sell great coffee, they’re great neighbors.

We also want to thank our wonderful volunteers. We have a regular group of volunteers from the surrounding area, including the folks from the Loop Church. Located at the Daystar Center, their members have been very generous with their time and donations of food—they help that food pantry basket at Overflow, well, overflowing! We also want to thank our regular volunteers from South Loop Community Church, the high school and college students, as well as the many folks that help us behind the scenes working with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, placing orders and keeping a check on inventory. A special thank you goes to food pantry coordinator, Rosa Ellis.

Clothes Ministry
We also want to thank those who help with the clothes ministry that operates during food pantry hours on the second and third Saturdays of the month. The clothes ministry offers clothes and accessories, free of charge, for men, women, and children. We want to extend a big thank you to clothes ministry coordinator Daisy Bell for all her hard work.

Daisy Bell and Rosa Ellis pose in front of some of the toys available at
the Christmas Toy Store.

Volunteer opportunities

We’re always in need of volunteers. There are opportunities to help during food distribution and with food deliveries during the month. If you think you’d like to volunteer, please click on the tab that says “Donate & Volunteer” at the top of the page.

Food Pantry will be closed on November 30, 2013

The South Loop Community Church Food Pantry will be closed on Saturday, November 30, 2013. Normal food pantry operation will resume the following Saturday, December 7. The SLCC Food Pantry hours of operation are 9 – 11 a.m. every Saturday (unless otherwise noted). On December 7, we will also be offering fresh produce.

SLCC Food Pantry will be providing fresh produce on December 7, 2013.

Thanksgiving Turkey distribution November 23, 2013

South Loop Community Church Food Pantry will be distributing frozen turkeys on November 23, 2013 during normal food distribution hours, 9 – 11 a.m. One turkey will be given to each household while they last. Along with the turkeys, we’re planning on including some Thanksgiving sides like cranberry sauce and stovetop stuffing. To make sure that our clients aren’t disappointed, we need your help. If you can donate nonperishable items that would be appropriate for a Thanksgiving celebration, please drop them off at SLCC, 1347 S. State St. during normal business hours Monday through Friday. You may also drop off items at Overflow Coffee Bar at 1550 S. State St. If you have any questions, please call 312. 566.9076 or e-mail Rosa Ellis @ellislaine@sbcglobal.net.

Clothes distribution this Saturday November 9 at SLCC Food Pantry

The second and third Saturdays of the month, along with food distribution, we also offer clothes for those who need them. We have men’s women’s and children’s clothes and accessories, including hats, belts, and shoes.

We offer clothes and accessories for men, women, and children twice a month.

Donate your clothes
If you have clothes that you are no longer wearing, but that are in good shape, please consider donating them. For information on how to donate clothing, please click on the “Clothes Ministry” tab above.

Winter Clothes Drive

Accepting coat donations for men, women, and
children

Winter Coat and Clothes Drive
With winter fast approaching, the South Loop Community Church Food Pantry at 1347 S. State St. is gearing up for a winter coat and clothes drive. Twice a week—the second and third Saturdays of the month—the food pantry distributes clothes, at no charge, to those in need, along with its weekly food distribution. If you have a winter coat that you’re no longer using, please consider donating it to the SLCC Food Pantry. You may deliver you coat Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Please call 312.566.9076 before you drop off your donation to ensure there will be someone to receive it.

Clothes Ministry is Growing
The clothes ministry has been growing. If you would like to consider volunteering your time, please contact Daisy J. Bell, coordinator at Dd1508@aol.com or call 312.566.9076. For more information on the clothes ministry, please click on the clothes ministry tab on this page.

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.

Last chance for fresh produce and clothes until next month

This Saturday September 21, 2013 is the last week for produce and clothes distribution until next month. Fresh produce is distributed on the first, second, and third Saturdays. Clothes are distributed on the second and third Saturdays of the month.

Last week's produce included organic mini peeled carrots.

A free farmers market
Although we don’t now exactly know what kind of produce we’ll have until Saturday distribution, what we offer is always fresh and nutritious. On previous weeks, we’ve offered fresh whole pineapples, peaches, green peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach. Clients are encouraged to take as much as they can carry.

Getting ready for our “farmers market” in the church parking lot at 1347 S. State St.

Free clothes and accessories
Need some new clothes? How about a belt or a scarf? You find a good selection of clothes and accessories for men, women, and children. We even have a nice selection of costume jewelry to complement your outfit!

Currently offering a selection of handbags for women

Donations accepted
We are always in need of donations of clothes and nonperishable food. If you would like to donate food or clothing, you may drop items off at the church during normal business hours Monday through Friday. We recommend that you call 312.566.9076 to make sure their will be someone here to receive your donations. We have two food drop-off locations beside the church, which may be more convenient for you: Overflow Coffee Bar at 1550 S. State St. and Urban Re-mix at 1468 S. Michigan Ave. For more information, click on the “Drop-Off Locations” tab.

Food Pantry Update

Twice a month the SLCC Food Pantry
distributes clothes for free during food distribution.

The SLCC Food Pantry is going strong. Since March 2012, we have been providing 100 families and individuals, on average, with good, nutritious food every week.

Now distributing clothes
A few months ago, we started distributing clothes, along with our food distribution on the second and third Saturdays of the month. The response to the clothes has been very positive. We have clothes and accessories for men, women, and children. And like the food, they are given away free of charge.

Neighborhood support
We continue to receive support from the local South Loop community. Donations dropped off at Overflow Coffee Bar, continue to amaze us. Almost every week, there are donations of food and health and beauty items. We are often asked for items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant, so these donations are greatly appreciated. Overflow Coffee Bar has been very gracious. They’ve also been generous to us with their own resources, making monetary donations on several occasions.

Get ready for the Bash on Wabash
Once again, Greater South Loop Association will be giving us a portion of the gate donation at the annual Bash on Wabash street festival. Last year, we received a donation of $500 which enabled us to buy turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving distribution last year. This year’s Bash is August 24 and 25. The Bash will have live music, food, as well as an area for kids. For more information on the Bash, please visit the GSLA or the Bash on Wabash Web sites.

The SLCC Food Pantry is open every Saturday from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.

For information on how you can donate to and/or volunteer at SLCC Food Pantry, please click on the “Donation and Volunteer Opportunities” tab at the top of the page. 

28th Annual Hunger Walk June 29, 2013

Hunger Walk raises funds for Chicago food pantries
On Saturday, June 29, thousands of men, women and children will gather on Chicago’s lakefront to raise funds and awareness for the fight to end hunger in Cook County. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of businesses, organizations and individuals to help ensure their neighbors get the food they need.

Soldier Field, Chicago
Registration 7:00 a.m. | Step-off 8:30 a.m.

The 5k, 3.1 mile Hunger Walk benefits pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Cook County that are members of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network.

Come walk with us to support our food pantry!
If you want to help raise funds for the South Loop Community Church Food Pantry, please consider walking with us on the June 29. You can support us and help us raise funds just by showing up with the registration form filled out. For every walker we bring to the event, our food pantry gets $12! To download a registration form, click here.

If you can’t walk with us, but would still like to support us, visit our team page and make a donation at the Food Depository Web site.

Buddy, can you spare a van?

March marks one year since the South Loop Community Church started distributing food to those in need, on a weekly basis. We have been averaging between 55-60 walk-ins every Saturday. We also deliver food to another 30 people every week, who aren’t able to come to the pantry in person, due to physical disabilities.

The SLCC Food Pantry is a member agent of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which enables us to purchase food at discounted and reduced prices. The GCFD also offers member agents free produce and other food stuffs on occasion. But we’ve had to turn down these free offers because we don’t have enough room in our vehicles. Currently, we pick up our food orders (twice a month) with volunteers’ cars. If we had the use of a van for these twice-a-month pick-ups, we could offer those in need more nourishing food every week.

The SLCC Food Pantry serves up to 100 people  each week.
Help us keep these shelves stocked.

Not everyone can physically volunteer in the food pantry—even though we distribute food once-a-week, it’s a five-day-a-week job—but perhaps you are willing and able to volunteer yourself and your van twice a month.

If you think you could help us out or would like more information about the SLCC Food Pantry and other volunteer opportunities, please call the South Loop Community Church office at 312.566.9076 during weekday business hours.

New Year, new challenges, new thanks

Student volunteers interact with food pantry clients

With January winding down, the SLCC Food Pantry is thankful for how far we’ve come in a relatively short time. This March will mark the pantry’s first-year anniversary. The pantry serves those in need, in the South Loop with nourishing food, every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. When we took on the challenge of serving the community on a weekly basis, we weren’t sure how we were going to do it. We had a limited budget and few volunteers.

Sandwiches and salads donated by Pret A Manger

We took a leap of faith. We survived that first week, and the next, and the next. More people started to volunteer. People and organizations started donating food and money. Students from area high schools and colleges started asking if they could volunteer. Businesses like Pret A Manger, Panera Bread, and Dunkin’ Donuts provided us with day-old food items. Local community organization, Greater South Loop Association provided us with funds to purchase turkeys and hams for distribution during the holidays. Local business, Overflow Coffee Bar donated a percentage of their sales to the pantry. Overflow’s biggest contribution, however, was acting as a food drop-off locations. Patrons of Overflow have donated pounds of food almost ever week for months, which has been an enormous help and encouragement. We even had a visit from local food truck entrepreneur, GiGi’s Bake Shop!

Bags of food and volunteers at the ready

As we get closer to our anniversary date, we’re looking to expand our outreach by offering clothing (a need for some of our clients) along with food. More about this in the future.

The South Loop Community Church Food Pantry wants to give a big “thank you” to our friends and neighbors for helping us along the way!

To find out how you can help, please click on the “Donation and Volunteer Opportunities” tab above.