The Common Pantry was established in 1967 in Lincoln Park and is Chicago’s oldest continuously run food pantry agency.
In the late 1960′s, the neighborhood was changing and growing numbers of people in the community were in need of food and emergency supplies. This prompted action by several Lincoln Park and Lakeview churches, as members of The Northside Cooperative Ministry (NSCM) joined forces and provide a solution for those in need.
In response, the Common Pantry was founded and first located in St. Paul’s Church at 2335 North Orchard Street, Chicago. In the 1970′s the pantry moved to St. James Lutheran Church at 2101 N. Fremont Street It provided tremendous support to the community and furthered the mission for over 10 years. In the mid-1980′s, the Pantry moved again, this time to Epiphany United Church of Christ at 2008 West Bradley Place, where it remains today.
Food and personal supplies are obtained from Greater Chicago Food Depository (our Food Bank), Food Rescue, food drives and from the community’s churches and residents generous donations. We also provide social service referrals and home delivery for disabled clients.
During the past 45 years various volunteers, individuals, board members, and businesses have joined forces to provide clients a helping hand. Many former clients, whose lives have changed for the better, have returned to help others.
