ALBANY PARK — The American Indian Center is offering emergency food boxes to its tribal members and Albany Park neighbors who are suffering from food insecurity.
The distributions are 2-4 p.m. Fridays at the center, 3401 W. Ainslie Ave.
The center is working with the Chicago Greater Food Depository and Tessa Farms to distribute the food boxes, but organizers said they could use additional donations from the public.
To donate, contact volunteer coordinator Molly Hunt at Molly@aicchicago.org. The center needs canned food and other pantry items that are shelf-stable.
The weekly food distribution program began earlier this month in partnership with members of Wisconsin’s Ho-Chunk Nation.
“Unfortunately, they stopped participating last week because they’ve had a rise of COVID-19 cases,” said Fawn Pochel, education coordinator for the center. “Understandably they’re redirecting their resources to address that.”
The center has planned food distribution events through December. Pochel said the program is likely to continue into next year because the need continues to be so high.
“With the current state of the nation, we’ve seen the need for this to make sure Native people are being looked out for in the city of Chicago,” she said.
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