Purpose and Philosophy
PURPOSE:
The main purpose of the Irving Park Community Food Pantry is to provide nutritionally balanced food to our clients who are at risk of hunger. In addition, we strive to increase awareness of hunger related issues to the community at large. Clients are often referred to additional community resources to meet the variety of needs that they may have that are beyond the scope of the Pantry. The Pantry also offers periodic nutrition education. We hope to provide our clients with other opportunities for learning and growth throughout the coming years.
PHILOSOPHY:
Our philosophy of service is to provide caring, consistent quality of service and an equitable distribution of available pantry resources to all clients. It is our belief that service offered and delivered in this manner increases and maintains the self-worth and dignity of each person. Value-based services like ours enhance the community as a whole and helps make our community one in which residents take pride, where people desire to live and raise their families as people of good will. Together, we are doing important work-together, we are neighbors helping neighbors.
HOURS OF OPERATION AND SERVICE AREA:
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry is open for food distribution every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Pantry's service area includes all of zip code 60641 and that portion of 60618 west of Kedzie Ave. The
USDA provides the Pantry with regularly updated information including the income guidelines for USDA commodities distribution. Each client is given approximately a three day supply of nutritionally complete food free on a monthly basis - or 10% of total food needs - to supplement other food resources.
Our resources come from a variety of sources. We collect food from non-perishable "can drives" through churches, neighborhood canvass, schools, and businesses. We receive USDA goods, some fresh produce and the bulk of our food through the
Greater Chicago Food Depository and foods and fresh produce from Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation. Churches, organizations, corporations, and individuals give us money to purchase food and pay operational expenses.
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors that employs the Executive Director. A volunteer staff of 15-20 individuals assists with all phases of operation during the Pantry's food distribution hours on a rotational basis.
History
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry as it is known today is primarily an interdenominational family of
churches working closely with civic groups, schools, scouts, area aldermen, and concerned individuals in the neighborhood. Together we are effectively helping over 400 households, representing more than1200 individuals in need of emergency food each month of the year.
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry began as a response in the neighborhood to frequent requests for food. In the early 1970s Leila Duncan, a member of Irving Park United Methodist Church, purchased and delivered groceries personally to individuals and families in the area. By the 1980s several people were helping her in these efforts. In 1983 the church began providing
USDA cheese and butter to community residents who could give proof of need. Sensitive insight on the part of Rev. Philip Sheets, the pastor, led to the formation of the Pantry as a community effort.
This action addressed the shared need of other denominations' congregations. The request for food to all of the pastors in the area was becoming an increasing concern. Neighborhood clergy pooled the modest food resources each was attempting to maintain and sent people to the Pantry now located in Irving Park United Methodist Church, 3801 N. Keeler Avenue. The coalition of churches formalized its work together in early 1984. The Irving Park Community Food Pantry was formally incorporated as an Illinois not-for-profit in 1987.
The Pantry is a member in good standing in the pantry networks of the
Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation and the
Greater Chicago Food Depository. In addition, the pantry is a member of the
Northwest Anti-Hunger Network and enjoys a deserved reputation for fairness, quality and caring service in the social service community.