Lakeview Pantry Opened a Food Distribution Site at Wrigley FieldAngelica Ruizon May 19, 2020 at 2:35 am

Lakeview Pantry has opened a temporary food pantry at Wrigley Field in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As 26.5 million Chicagoans are filing for unemployment, many are struggling to provide for themselves and their families during the quarantine.

The pantry in Lakeview became overwhelmed by a 140-percent increase in demand for pantry goods. Pantry Chief Executive Officer Kellie O’Donnell said that the pantry ran out of space to store, pack, and distribute food while maintaining social distance guidelines amongst staff, volunteers, and the public. Volunteers are packing a daily average of 1,200 boxes of food for their distribution sites at Wrigley Field, La Casa Norte pantry in Humboldt Park, and their flagship.

Major League Baseball is delayed and the Chicago Cubs’ organization is hosting the surge of pantry patrons at their home field. Food distribution is every Tuesday and Saturday from noon to 2 pm. The Lakeview Food Pantry is distributing produce, dairy, frozen meats, and shelf-stable foods at Wrigley’s right field gate at 1060 W Addison.

In addition to overcoming hunger, the pantry offers social services. The institution promotes mental wellness as a priority and provides free private therapy and life coaching.

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Featured Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

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