No Child Goes Hungry (NCGH) has provided a $2500 grant to the Third Unitarian Church (TUC) of Chicago, Illinois, and its community food pantry. Since June 2020, the TUC congregation on the west side of Chicago has been running a food pantry for and with its community. The pantry is offered in collaboration with another congregation that shares the space, Praise Temple of Restoration International, and a local neighborhood association to provide food for the community. The No Child Goes Hungry grant will help continue funding the church’s efforts to support families in need in its community.

“Thanks to No Child Goes Hungry, we can continue providing our neighbors food, diapers, and personal hygiene items,” said Rev. Colleen Vahey from Third Unitarian Church. “As of March 1, 2023, Illinois cut state SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, and we anticipate an even greater need in the season ahead. We started as a seasonal pop-up pantry in 2020 and now look forward to our fourth season.”

According to NCGH Founder and Director Rev. Kären Rasmussen, limitations in federal funds, such as SNAP, are exacerbating the challenges of addressing food insecurity in communities nationwide.

“At No Child Goes Hungry, we have been receiving an increased number of requests from schools, food pantries, and faith-based organizations looking for non-profit support to help supplement federal funding,” said Rev. Rasmussen. “We continue to do everything we can to support organizations like Third Unitarian Church and their monumental work to support those in need.”

“Thanks to the support of partners like No Child Goes Hungry, we’ve been able to continue monthly food giveaways throughout the winter and will be able to resume our Saturday outdoor pantry with expanded goods through the spring and fall.”

[August 2023] NCGH Donates to the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago, IL

NCGH is pleased to support the Third Unitarian Church (TUC) of Chicago, Illinois, and its community food pantry with a donation of $2,500.

“The west side of Chicago is organizing to address the food apartheid experienced here for decades.  We are grateful to be engaged in the work of building relationships with our neighbors and community partners to help address these challenges in our local community,” said TUC Rev. Colleen Vahey. “We share fresh produce from our community gardens along with other food, personal care items, and household supplies. Over the past few year, we have been adding occasional story times, art activities, cooking demos, plant giveaways, and barbecues to strengthen our community as neighbors get to know neighbors.”

Rev. Vahey estimates that up to 40 families regularly utilize the resources available in the food pantry.  “We deeply appreciate the generous support of Rev. Kären and No Child Goes Hungry,” added Rev. Vahey. “Knowing we can rely on donations from partners who share our commitment to mitigating the negative effects of food insecurity gives a tremendous boost to our spirits during what has been an especially difficult season.”

“I am pleased to support the terrific and inspiring work of TUC,” said NCGH Founder and Director Rev. Kären Rasmussen. “Since I founded No Child Goes Hungry, we have expanded our partnerships, reach, and impact to include a wide variety of community organizations, schools, and other entities. However, our collaboration with fellow faith-based organizations, especially fellow UUs, has always been at the core of our donation model. So I’m thrilled to partner with TUC in Chicago, an entity that shares our faith and our commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry.”

Let’s feed some kids!