By Danny Karmin
When Margaret O’Conor was named as Executive Director of Common Pantry in 2018, she laid out a vision to her team: Take a strategic, forward-thinking approach to reduce hunger and address the root causes of poverty.
As the oldest continually operating non-profit food pantry in the City of Chicago, the organization required a new space to accommodate the growing demand of food insecurities.
After operating for more than 30 years from a leased basement space in Epiphany United Church of Christ in the North Center area, the organization sought a more accessible and modern facility to better serve the public.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic was well underway in 2020, causing an already uphill battle with poverty and hunger. The organization went from serving 300 households in a month to serving 800 basically overnight.
When the Wolves learned about Common Pantry’s mission, it was a no-brainer to get involved. Wolves owner Don Levin graciously delivered a $50,000 donation to help accelerate its future vision. The Wolves became the single largest unsolicited corporate donor Common Pantry had ever had since its inception in 1967.
The Wolves also host yearly food drives during their home games in November when they encourage fans to bring and donate non-perishable food items to support Common Pantry.
From 2021-24, the Wolves have donated over 2300 pounds of food.
“We did quite a bit of research to find organizations that support food insecurities, and Common Pantry was a perfect fit,” Courtney Mahoney, Wolves President of Operations, said. “They are so dedicated to their community and you can see the impact they have immediately. Not only is it in the amount of meals and food they are providing, but the camaraderie, the care and the dedication they have to their clients is very inspirational. We are proud to be supporters and so proud of our fans and how much they have supported them as well through our endeavors.”
In 2021, with the help of state funding, Common Pantry purchased a new building three blocks from the church.
The new facility is a 3,500-square foot space that is not only 2,000 square feet larger than the space they were operating in pre-COVID-19, but also includes a large dining room, commercial-grade kitchen, outdoor area and a room for volunteers who power the pantry’s operation.
“This was extremely significant to our vision,” O’Conor said. “It was right at the beginning of COVID-19 and it was a time where we knew we needed to fill various buckets of income, so we couldn’t just concentrate on the same people who write checks as individuals every year. We needed to be a priority for corporations that were looking to move the needle on health equity through food, and the Wolves provided a huge donation at a really critical time.
“People feel protected here,” she added. “People feel like they can trust us when they’re at their best, and celebrate that, and then come to us when they’re at their worst. And know that while we may not be able to solve their problem, we’ll at least be able to provide something to make it a little bit easier to figure out the solutions for them.”
The Wolves have made it a priority to volunteer. Longtime Wolves broadcaster Jason Shaver has been a consistent presence throughout Common Pantry’s initiatives. He has made it a priority during the offseason to hand-deliver produce from an Andersonville farmers market weekly.
He has also emceed Common Pantry’s largest annual I am Your Neighbor event since 2020.
“Volunteering at Common Pantry is a truly rewarding experience — working alongside an amazing, compassionate staff to meet the growing needs of their guests reminds me every day that small acts of service can make a big impact,” Shaver said.
Along with Shaver, a large number of Wolves staff members volunteer in the summer, restocking the food pantry and prepping for upcoming distributions.
Common Pantry also features a client services program, Common Community, which helps people and families address the challenges that result from economic instability. They offer walk-in services from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesdays as well as a free lunch. The Common Community office is also open on Thursdays from 1-4 p.m.
Other offered services include housing assistance, job searching, government benefits, healthcare/medical referrals, legal referrals, services for the homeless and government documentation.
Common Pantry distributes food on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m., Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m. and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. Clients can come to the Pantry for food once per month. Photo IDs are required, and they must include a current address.
According to Common Pantry, “Among families who access food pantries in Chicago, one-third have a family member with diabetes and over half have a family member with high blood pressure.”
The organization runs a two-tiered nutrition program that features an in-house registered dietitian on staff as well as structured nutrition practices to nourish and support the well-being of the community. Click here to learn more.
“In recent years, the number of people impacted by food insecurity has grown significantly,” Shaver said. “At Common Pantry, seeing the joy on our guests’ faces as they choose quality food is truly heartwarming. Any support you can provide — whether through time, donations or resources — goes a long way in ensuring that our neighbors receive one of life’s most basic and essential needs: food.
“Your help is deeply appreciated.”
Help Common Pantry fight hunger by donating here today.
