Seventy-nine-year-old Joseph doesn’t have a car and struggles to walk, but he makes it a priority to visit the new Catholic Charities Curbside Pantry to shop for food that lasts him up to two weeks.
With the support of a generous donor, Catholic Charities launched its first mobile food pantry truck to increase access to nutritious food and essential goods. The Curbside Pantry made its first stop in south suburban Park Forest on Oct. 16, serving more than 90 Park Forest families that day. In partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Curbside Pantry offers visitors milk, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, frozen chicken and fish, canned foods, juices, cereal, rice, pasta, beans, and peanut butter. There is no cost for residents to use the food pantry.
Catholic Charities partnered with Victory Christian International Ministries which provides its parking lot, washroom facilities, and office space for use by staff, volunteers, visitors, and the case management team every Thursday. Catholic Charities is piloting the Curbside Pantry in Park Forest and is looking to expand to other communities in need.
“It’s important for me because I’m always helping the community and there’s always someone who needs something,” said Chanda, another pantry client. “I’m getting food for my family and whatever I can share with anyone else. The vegetables are very important. It’s been a nice, new addition and I do appreciate it.”
Catholic Charities relies heavily on a team of volunteers to support the three-member pantry team with stocking, personal shopping, and accompanying visitors to their cars with groceries. In addition, volunteers, like Mary, from Saint Veronica Parish in nearby Flossmoor, pick up groceries from the Curbside Pantry and deliver to area families and seniors who are homebound.
“My mom and I thought it was a good way to give back to the community,” Mary said. “I’m fortunate; I can go out and buy my groceries, but a lot of people are going through rough times and food is expensive. We deliver food from the pantry to families — some are elderly and can’t drive. There’s always something for everybody here.”
Catholic Charities case managers are also on site at the Curbside Pantry, so pantry visitors can be connected to other programs and resources if they have other needs, said Hilda Diaz Nieto, a Charities Resource Hub case manager who has served for more than 22 years. She’s witnessed people in need of assistance to pay for their gas, light, and water bills, car repairs, and clothing for their family. “People are scared, they don’t know where to go, and they don’t have many resources. That’s why we’re here.”
Eshanté, a first-time visitor to the Curbside Pantry, was glad she was there.
“Food is extremely high right now and I have [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)], but that doesn’t last long,” she said. “If you want to eat healthy and organic, it’s even more expensive. And the grocery store, the food is high and the store is very far, and I don’t have a car.”
Eshanté and her 3-year-old son came for the fruits and vegetables but stayed to meet with Hilda.
“I haven’t used other Catholic Charities services, but I would like to,” Eshanté said. “Christmas is coming up, and I’d like some help.”
Eshanté and her 3-year-old son
Joseph
Photos by Kathleen Hinkel
If you are in need of food or case management services, please call the Charities Resource Hub at (312) 655-7700, or visit one of our four other pantries:
- Casa Catalina, 4537 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago
- St. Blase Food Pantry, 7438 W. 61st Place, Summit
- Bernardin Center Food Pantry, 671 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan
- Schreiber Center Food Pantry, 101 N. Cedar Lake Road, Round Lake.