West Point Food Pantry

In June, 2005, we opened the West Point Food Pantry. This initiative was inspired after it became apparent that the community in which we serve was in need of food and clothing to supplement their daily needs. We witnessed our community going through our waste looking for food to feed their families. Under the guidance of our senior pastor, Dr. L. Bernard Jakes, we decided that one way to help combat hungry was to start and operate a food pantry. The pantry is supported solely by the church members and volunteers. Our outreach efforts have extended beyond our local community where we serve all surroundings areas where a need is apparent. We provide bags of food and fresh produce on a weekly basis and we also provide slightly used clothing. We utilize other City of Chicago services by recommending shelters, medical facilities and other social services (e.g. food stamps) when needed. We work in conjunction with other local religious and civic organizations that send their patrons to us for service. We offer free weekly blood pressure checks and other health screenings by on-site registered nurses and doctors. In 2008, the food pantry served over 19,000 individuals. The food pantry has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards offered by the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Jewel-Osco. We were awarded the "Best Food Pantry" by GCFD in 2007. The food pantry sponsors an annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner offering hot meals to the community on Thanksgiving eve. We are a member of the Bronzeville Anti-Hunger Network (BAN). Thanks to the dedication and hard-working volunteers, the food pantry has been a blessing to our community and faith family. Our food is purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, which is funded by the church and it's members.