Chicago Fun Volunteers

Want to help those in need during the pandemic? Putting together bagged meals is a great way to make a difference.
The Chicago Help Initiative coordinates volunteers to make and deliver thousands of bag meals every week to different sites throughout the city.

What’s in a bag meal?
• Sandwich
• Piece of fruit (soft fruits preferred like bananas or oranges)
• Snack (Chips, granola bar, etc)
• Drink (bottled water or juice)
• Feel free to add more or get fancy!

This is an “on your own” event. You will purchase the components and assemble the meals in your home on your own time. Feel free to be creative – turkey with cranberry sauce, hot paninis, or plain PB&J – all are appreciated!

Drop off at the locations listed below, or we may be able to pick up your fully assembled bagged meals at your location. (Message the event organizer in advance to arrange pickup). Drop off sites maintain social distancing….pop your trunk and an on-site volunteer will take the prepared bagged meals directly from your vehicle.

Where, when, and how to deliver your bag meals:
9:30am – 10:30am Saturdays - 721 N. LaSalle Street

For more about the Chicago Help Initiative, visit http://chicagohelpinitiative.org/

Contact the Meeting Organizer if you have any questions....happy to chat through the logistics!

Join us every Sunday morning to help make and distribute bagged lunches that include salads, sandwiches, and more to the hungry/homeless throughout Chicago.

We make and package the food in the center, and then distribute it outside in the city, so dress according to the weather.

Entrance is right in front of the Jackson red line stop, and a block away from the Harold Washington library.

Follow us on Instagram @dic_nbrshelpingnbrs

All are welcome!

Coppin Community Center partners with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We distribute food items every Monday. This includes frozen protein, fresh produce, dairy and can/dry goods.

Schedule is as follows:
8:00 am-11:00 am is the window our food truck arrives. Volunteers are needed to unload 3-4 pallets of food items to be distributed later
2:00pm-6:00pm is table/shelving prep and distribution.
4:00-6:00 is actual distribution and volunteers are needed to assist clients picking and bagging food items.
Volunteers are requested to be fully vaccinated and masks are available. Please wear comfortable clothing and closed in shoes. Parking across the street. Coppin Community Center 5627 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, Ill. 60637. Contact Frankye Parham, coordinator, [email protected]

The Woodlawn Community Food Pantry is fully operated by volunteer members of the Chicago Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity with support from the The Greater Chicago Food Depository. They have been operating for over a year as an outdoor mobile and is now a full service indoor/outdoor pantry with more food items.
The pantry distribution takes place every Monday at the Edward G. Irvin Achievement Center in one of the most under-served neighborhoods in out city.

Volunteers will help put cans and boxed food in shopping bags and pack fresh produce and frozen meat and distribute them to pantry clients.
This is a hybrid outdoor in the summer and indoor (in their huge basketball stadium) when weather is too cold.

Event Date: Every Monday afternoon
Event Time: 2 pm to 6:15 pm
Location: Edward G. Irvin Achievement Center
500 E. 67th Street, Chicago, IL 60638

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/RS4zRNpvKcPHZM4f9

Shift time is flexbile, you can come and leave as it fits your schedule
Time line: 2 pm to 4 pm: pack grocery bags
4 pm to 6 pm, public distribution to clients
6 pm to 6:15 pm, clean up, recycle boxes, put unused food away.

Please don't feel you need to lift anything heavier than you feel comfortable doing. Your safety is our highest priority. We work in teams so nobody will feel stressed by doing more than then can physically do. This will be a very fun and friendly project to get to know your fellow volunteers and some new neighbors in our city. Your time and kindness will be deeply appreciated by over two hundred families in the Woodlawn neighborhood, who may otherwise go hungry during this winter. Your attendance is very important to ensure the success of this pantry project.

There is plenty of free parking on the adjacent side streets such as Marquette and Rhodes Ave. Please observe any parking sign restrictions or fire hydrants.

What you should know:

1. The event can be held outside, or inside in their large gymnasium.
2. Social Distancing markers are placed to minimize contact between Volunteers and the Clients.
3. Org will fill-in the registration information from the Clients. No need for the Clients to touch the pens or the sheets.

Best Practices

1. All Volunteers must wear PPE (Face Mask, Gloves) at all times. Protective Eyewear is also a good idea. Gloves and masks will be provided for you.
2. If you have any flu like symptoms, or think you are infected or have been exposed to somebody who are infected with COVID-19, please do not come. Stay home and self quarantine, seek medical advice from your doctor. Join us after 14 days or when you have fully recovered . Take care of yourself first. Thank you.

If driving from the North or West sides of the city take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94 East) to 71st Street. Turn Left (East) onto 71st Street and travel 6 blocks to King Drive. Turn Left (North) on King Drive and travel 4 blocks to 67th Street. Take the 2nd or wide Right Turn (East) onto 67th Street to 500 E. 67th Street (Just past the Fire Station at the Stop sign).