How Can You Help?

There are many ways to contribute to our mission.

Volunteer at the Pantry

Volunteer Activities

Our ideal volunteers are those who demonstrate the ability to work well with other volunteers and show compassion towards patrons. Dignity and respect for all is paramount to our mission.

Below are the types of activities a volunteer could be asked to do.

This list may not be comprehensive as the pantry's needs evolve over time.

Package grocery bags with dry and canned goods
Repackage bulk produce items into smaller bags
Prepare meat bags for distribution
Fill boxes with bulk food items, milk, eggs & bread, produce and hygiene products
Place packaged food items into patron cars
Clean freezers and refrigerators
Maintain general warehouse cleanliness
Put up and take down traffic control barriers on distribution day
Website maintenance (computer skills needed)
Develop & maintain social media accounts
Patron intake computer work
Manage food and toy drive activities with various community groups
Bookkeeping and general office work (computer skills needed)
Grant writing & fund raising
Participate in the Food Rescue program through local grocery stores
Purchase groceries when needed for weekly distributions
Place food orders and receive deliveries at the pantry warehouse

Host A Food Drive

Approximately 200 families receive emergency food assistance through the Village Pantry Coalition distribution site every month.

You can help by hosting a Food Drive at your school, business, organization, church, or neighborhood with a focus on collecting any and all of the items set out below under “Food Drives of the Month”.

You can also connect with one of our grocery store partners to host a food drive right at the store. Contact us at (708) 629--8526 in advance to coordinate your drive.

Ask guests to bring canned food items to events. Not sure what items to collect? See our Wish List

Your support will make a big impact in fighting hunger in Evergreen Park!

Our Corporate Sponsors

With so many corporations located in Chicago, we are fortunate enough to enjoy the support of local food store Meijer. Their support has been invaluable in terms of their financial and food donations.

And now they are going one step further by displaying our QR code in their stores, making it easy for you to donate the food that we need the most!

Want to donate, but not sure what to buy?

Print This List

Most corporations have matching gift programs. We encourage you to check with your employer to see if they participate allowing you to double your donation!

Become A Food Drive of the Month Partner

We have been in the business of providing food for the vulnerable for over 40 years and have learned a few things along the way. One of the things we have learned is to ask for what we need, and to help you, our patrons and volunteers, to make the biggest impact possible.

That's why we developed our Food Drive of the Month Partner program. Each month we focus on one type of food item, stocking our shelves and building our reserves so that over the course of the year we are able to offer a wide variety of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to our clients.

January

Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Mac & Cheese

April

Canned Vegetables

July

Cake Mixes & Frostings

October

Snacks, chips, granola bars

February

Canned Fruits and Soups

May

Canned Beans

August

School Snacks

November

Thanksgiving dinner fixings

March

Canned Tuna & Chicken Breast

June

Peanut Butter & Jelly

September

Boxed Cereals & Oatmeal

December

Christmas Candy Treats

Make a Donation

Monetary donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Approximately 200 families receive emergency food assistance at the Village Pantry Coalition distribution site every month. Without donations of food and funds, the Village Pantry Coalition would not be able to continue to provide assistance to those in need.

Food donations can be dropped off to the Village Pantry at 2704 W. 98th Place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am until 10am, or at the Evergreen Park Community Center at 3450 W. 97th St.

Your generous support ensures that everyone who seeks assistance at our pantry can be provided for with dignity. The Village Pantry Coalition is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN 36-3249079). All monetary donations are tax deductible.