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. We are proud of our history.

The Irving Park Community Food Pantry focuses on increasing community awareness of hunger related issues as well as feeding people at risk of hunger. We serve people regardless of religious, ethnic or political affiliation. The Pantry is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors.  A volunteer staff of 15-20 individuals assists with all phases of operation.  Our resources come from a variety of sources. The 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.

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The Irving Park Community Food Pantry was selected as the only food pantry in Chicago and Cook County to pilot a new and rapid means to apply for Food Stamps. This project is being developed by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. Applicants who qualify for Food Stamps will receive a Link Card and can activate it within two days. This allows our clients to receive and utilize these benefits within days rather than the traditional 30 day waiting period most applicants experience. Those who are in need of on-going assistance will need to confirm their eligibility in person at their Illinois Department of Human Services office to continue to receive assistance. This pilot program is limited to those who live within our Pantry's boundaries.

The Irving Park Community Food Pantry has engaged a program-development consultant to select and train a services coordinator to work with the Pantry's clients. The coordinator will help connect clients with additional community and governmental services/benefits that can help them and their families.

Jamie Stanesa, principal and managing partner of  Foursquare Consulting Inc. in Oak Park Ill., has more than 20 years of organizational development background. She recently served as director of agency relations at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and was associate dean for programs at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.

Stanesa will oversee designing, implementing and evaluating the services program as well as hiring a part-time coordinator to connect clients with additional services beyond the pantry's capabilities. The program and coordinator are expected to be in place this fall.

Stanesa's services and those of the new coordinator are funded by a major grant from The Chicago Community Trust. For 95 years, the regional community foundation has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2009, the Trust made more than $100 million in grants. The Trust works to enhance our region from strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence.

The Pantry has received a $1,600 grant from Operation Rice Bowl run by the Archdiocese of Chicago to continue operating its Nutrition class. It also received two new refrigerators from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, helping us supply more fresh produce and dairy products to our clients each Wednesday. The Depository last month provided the Pantry with a technology grant to purchase a new laser printer. The Pantry thanks both groups for their continued strong support of our efforts.

The Pantry is participating in the GIPNA Farmers Market at Independence Park, held every other Sunday this summer. By the beginning of August, volunteers staffing our stand had raised $500. If you're at the market, please stop by to say hi, ask questions and pick up our latest brochure about our services. Remaining dates for the Market are September 12th and 26th, and October 10th.