Food pantries and organizations helping residents address food insecurity issues in Chicago’s south and west side neighborhoods are receiving support from AT&T, including three neighborhoods – Austin, Auburn Gresham and South Shore – receiving special focus by Mayor Lightfoot and the City’s Racial Equity Rapid Response Team.
AT&T is supporting the effort through its Believe Chicago initiative designed to help residents in 19 south and west side Chicago neighborhoods most affected by gun violence and high unemployment.
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“The pandemic is putting additional strain on many residents in south and west side neighborhoods, and we want to help,” said Eileen Mitchell, AT&T Illinois President. “These organizations and food pantries are performing vital work to help families who face food insecurity issues, and we are grateful for their service to our neighbors in this great city.”
AT&T is supporting the following food pantries and organizations helping feed residents in these neighborhoods:
- Hope Community Church for its food pantry, working with Austin Coming Together for mobile deliveries (Austin neighborhood)
- Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation for its pop-up food pantry (Auburn Gresham neighborhood)
- Real Men Charities Inc. for its pop-up food pantry (South Shore neighborhood)
- Growing Home, Inc., working with Teamwork Englewood to deliver food to families (Englewood neighborhood)
- Marillac St. Vincent Family Services for its Foglia Family Center Food Pantry (East Garfield Park neighborhood)
“For decades, food insecurity has been one of the main issues Austin residents face in their community. As a food desert, our support system for food access maintained by a number of food pantries in the area was already strained and even more during this pandemic.” said Darnell Shields, Executive Director, Austin Coming Together. “So this investment to increase their capacity is not only needed, it is mission critical right now and we need more supporters to join the effort.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown an unfortunate spotlight on challenges that residents in south and west communities have long experienced. The issue of food instability has been exacerbated and the ‘pop up’ pantries supported by AT&T are providing much needed relief to thousands across the city,” said Carlos Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
AT&T’s investment to support these organizations and food pantries is $50,000.
