St. Sabina Church to Reopen South Side Food Pantry
Community Joins Forces to Keep Pantry Open
When leadership at St. Sabina Church heard that the food pantry around the corner was closing after more than a decade, they knew they had to step in and save it. The pantry, at 1120 W. 79th St. in Auburn Gresham, was run by Catholic Charities, but because of rising costs, the organization made the decision to close a few locations.
Pastor’s Decisive Action
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the pastor at St. Sabina, said the church often worked with the food pantry and knew how much people in the community depended on it. “We needed to step in and take it over ourselves,” Pfleger said. “It’s been a walk of faith for sure because opening it is like starting a business, but we’re going to try and be here as a resource for the people that depend on that pantry.”
A New Chapter Begins
Catholic Charities closed the pantry Sept. 30. After a few upgrades, reorganizing, and a fresh coat of paint, the pantry will open Tuesday as the St. Sabina Social Service Center. “We didn’t want too long of a gap in reopening,” Pfleger said. “We have people come by almost every day trying to get food, but they’ve had to wait until we were ready.”
Expanded Services
The pantry will not only provide food but will also offer clothing, counseling, and case management services. Pfleger said the pantry would have a handful of full-time staff as well as several volunteers present throughout the week. The pantry will be stocked with the help of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Community members will be able to come in, grab a cart, and shop for what they need.
A Personalized Shopping Experience
“A lot of times pantries just hand over a bag with food, but sometimes they don’t like what’s inside,” Pfleger said. “Here, they can go down the aisles to pick what they want just like how they would at a Jewel or a Mariano’s.”
The Future Ahead
Pfleger said the hope is to expand the pantry to offer more services and to be able to hire more staff, but that would require more donations. “We’re going to be there for the long term, but we’re going to need support so we can serve as many people as possible,” he said.
New Hours of Operation
The pantry will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Conclusion
The community has come together to ensure the continuation of this vital resource, and the St. Sabina Social Service Center is ready to serve. With a focus on personalized shopping, community support, and a long-term commitment, this pantry is poised to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
FAQs
* When does the pantry open?
The St. Sabina Social Service Center will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* What can I find at the pantry?
The pantry will provide food, clothing, counseling, and case management services.
* How will the pantry be stocked?
The pantry will be stocked with the help of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
* What is the long-term goal for the pantry?
The goal is to expand services and hire more staff, but this will require more donations.