March newsletter: Progress on our new home + spring activities

 What’s New

As we announced last year, Common Pantry has secured a new building, the first time in our 55-year-history that we’ll have our own property. With our partner Wheeler Kearns Architects, we are well into the design process to renovate our new home at 3900 N. Lincoln Ave. 

“They are absolute pros and a great fit given the assignment and the culture and values of Common Pantry,” Karen Salmon, longtime Pantry supporter building committee chair, says of Wheeler Kearns. “It has been an energizing and rewarding design exercise to date.” 

The current space, formerly Wasabi Cafe, offers a blank slate for Pantry leaders to carry out operations, like storing and distributing nonperishables, fresh produce and hot meals, and also build capacity to strengthen social service programs for clients. 

“This is a dream assignment, perfectly aligned with our firm’s commitment to advancing Chicago's nonprofits and uplifting lives through design,” says Dan Wheeler, founding principal of Wheeler Kearns Architects. “We are working diligently with Common Pantry's committee and partners to find the appropriate form and expression that captures the soul of Common Pantry, both inside and out. Get ready!”

The design phase brings us one step closer to opening the doors at our new home. We look forward to sharing more details soon, including a “pardon our dust” announcement as we officially kick off the remodel. As always, we appreciate your support and donations to ensure we can carry out our mission.

Common Pantry By The Numbers

• 444: Households served in February, up 4% from the prior February 
• 24: Percent of clients in February that were new to the Pantry  
• $5: Donation you can make to provide our clients with a box of Girl Scout cookies

From Our Executive Director

Spring can be seen as a time of rebirth, an emergence from the harsh winter months and an air of freshness. We certainly feel that at Common Pantry, especially with more progress being made on our future home and a bright future for our organization. 

March is also an important time to pause and recognize two important awareness months: National Nutrition Month and National Social Worker Month. 

It’s no coincidence that our staff members bring deep expertise in these important areas. Our Food Programs Manager Isabel Markowski, a registered dietitian, is increasing our nutrition programming this year and investigating new opportunities for the future, like cooking demos for clients. Food insecurity is considered not only a lack of access to food, but to adequate, nutritious food. We also recognize our Common Community Services Manager Abby Greaney, a licensed clinical social worker who forges personal relationships with our clients to help them tackle challenges beyond food insecurity, from housing and transportation to mental health services. 

We are so grateful for the knowledge and commitment that our staff, volunteers and entire community bring to Common Pantry. As we spring into this new season, we look forward to bright days ahead for our clients. 

--Margaret O'Connor, Common Pantry Executive Director

Common Pantry Voices 

This month we honor longtime volunteer Al Schoen, who passed away peacefully in his home in early February. For many years Al was dedicated to supporting the Pantry’s mission, involved in everything from shuttling donations to interacting with clients. Al championed the partnership between Common Pantry and St. Benedict Parish, which resulted in a pipeline of food donations that helped feed thousands of families for decades. Al was a great friend to many and made a genuine impact at the Pantry. We will miss him very much.

Partner impact

While our new building was funded largely through Rebuild Illinois grants, we were able to act swiftly on the purchase because of our partnership with IFF. Their team ensured we secured the funding needed to close on our new building while we applied for our state grants! We are so grateful that IFF helped us realize our vision for a home to call our own for the first time in our 55-year history.

Events 

• Home delivery volunteers needed. Our senior home delivery program occurs once a month on a Saturday. One-time home deliveries occur on a flexible schedule throughout the week. Email us at services@commonpantry.org if you’re interested.
• Upcoming: Summer festival season. The return of street festivals is on the way, and again this year we’ll look for volunteers to help staff local events and earn proceeds for Common Pantry. Stay tuned for details.