CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A long-time food pantry on the North Side has moved into a new location.
Founded in 1967 and considered the city's oldest continuously operated food pantry, the Common Pantry has moved a couple of times, but this move to a 3,500 square foot space at 3908 N. Lincoln marks the first time the 501 © (3) has actually owned the building it occupies.
“At the end of the day, this is about accessibility…This is an ADA accessible building,” said Common Pantry Executive Director Margaret O’Conor.
She told WBBM that the new larger space has job search and housing services and a grocery store style layout that allows clients to pick out their food. There is a dining space, commercial kitchen and a courtyard for special community events.
At the end of each visit, there is the luxury of flowers rescued from local stores, past prime shape for selling but still colorful and aromatic.
“[It’s] a very special cap to your visit here, with all the smiles and the dignity that you can possibly imagine when you get to walk away with some beautiful hydrangeas that you can keep alive for a long time and make your house a home. It’s beautiful,” O’Conor said.
More information can be found through the Common Pantry website.
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