About
“Working together to provide hunger relief in our community.”
Current Trends
In its effort to provide hunger relief in 2009, the Pantry provided nutritious groceries, produce, meat and dairy products to 11,088 local families comprised of 40,442 individuals. This represents a 63% increase from 2008 visits to the Pantry. Over 350 volunteers participated in a variety of ways to help serve this burgeoning client base.
The Pantry marked 2009 as its most successful year of fundraising to date. Income rose 51% from 2008 for a total of $268,340. In recognition of its overall excellence in the field of finances, the Pantry received the 2009 Best Fiscal Management Award from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Pantry partnerships were developed and strengthened in 2009. Advocacy efforts on behalf of the Pantry led to a partnership with Breakthrough Urban Ministries and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This collaborative effort resulted in the development of a cooperative transportation plan and purchase of a 22-foot commercial delivery truck. The delivery system now services 20 different food pantries on the west side of Chicago allowing pantries to decrease delivery costs and purchase more food. A partnership with West Suburban PADS and AmeriCorps allowed the Pantry to expand its service to clients to include benefits counseling.
During the course of 2010, the Pantry will move from being a program of the Community of Congregations to a partner with them. Until its own 501(c)3 status is secured, the Pantry will operate under the auspices of the Community of Congregations. The OPRF Food Pantry is staffed by an executive director (Kathy Russell), a Director of Operations (Michele Zurakowski), a Pantry Manager (Paula Berg), a Volunteer Coordinator (Kristi Braun), an AmeriCorps member who serves as a Benefits Coordinator (Shavora Steward), a bookkeeper/administrative assistant (Dawn Altman), and over 350 volunteers. (Total staff hours add up to 3.25 FTE.) Although we are sponsored by the communities of Oak Park and River Forest, we serve clients from many surrounding communities within Cook County as well. (Click on the SERVICES tab for a list of all communities within our service boundaries.) All clients must meet income guidelines and are limited to service once per month. Photo ID and proof of residency within our service boundaries are required for service.
Food Procurement
We procure food from a number of sources.
- USDA commodities are provided monthly through the Illinois Emergency Food Assistance Program.
- Purchases through Greater Chicago Food Depository — GCFD at an average cost of seven cents per pound.
- Generous weekly donations of food from individuals, groups and congregations within the communities of Oak Park and River Forest.
- Larger food drives are organized by Vista 9 Girl Scouts in the Fall and local Postal Workers in the Spring.
- “Food Rescue” operations with local grocery stores of fresh, but not perfect, produce.
Affiliations
- The OPRF Food Pantry partners with OPRF Community of Congregations involving faith-based communities in service to end hunger.
- The OPRF Food Pantry partners with the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program to provide food gift certificates and gifts at the holiday season.
- The OPRF Food Pantry is a member agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository
- The OPRF Food Pantry is a member of the Illinois Hunger Coalition
- First United Church of Oak Park
- Oak Park Area Walk In Ministry, housed in the First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, enter via parking lot on Kenilworth and proceed to basement. Hours 10-11am Monday through Saturday.
- The Nineteenth Century Club has been a loyal funder of the Pantry.
Website Credits
This website was made possible by a generous unrestricted gift to the OPRF Food Pantry. Website design and development by Megan Coleman.