The Done in a Day Committee (DIAD) partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) and Ravenswood School to distribute food at the Market Pantry on Saturday, May 9, 2015. The Market Pantry offers a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and non-perishable foods in a farmers’ market style atmosphere at no charge to families and individuals in need of food assistance. Six League members volunteered outside in the cold with several other volunteer organizations. League members passed out bags of apples to over one hundred families at the Ravenswood Elementary School. Family members also received canned goods, green peppers, broccoli and bread. Everyone receiving the food was immensely grateful. League members were happy and humbled to spend a few hours outside in the cold to help less fortunate families.

Ravenswood Community Services began as an outreach program of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. In 1993, parishioners began distributing bags of groceries through the front doors of the church to about 20 neighbors in need each week. By 1998, the grocery distribution program expanded to include a weekly hot meal. The number of participants quickly doubled and tripled in those early years. All Saints’ parishioners joined with community volunteers to staff the “Just Neighbors Food Pantry and Community Kitchen.” RCS has also built a strong partnership with Ravenswood Elementary School to provide on-site hunger relief services to more than 140 neighborhood families the second Saturday of each month.

Click here if you are interested in volunteering for The Market Pantry or any other RCS outreach program.

By Andrea Flynn, Published May 19, 2015