Covid Response
We continue walking with young people in new ways through this crisis. Food distribution has become critical as many families lose jobs and sources of income as a result of this pandemic, with over 500 new applications requesting food in just 48 hours and one neighborhood. We invite you to join the efforts as we expand food distribution to over 3,000 families in six neighborhoods, continue walking with young people, and strengthening communities in Chicagoland. We are Stronger Together!
Please select General fund and note Stronger Together in the comments
Get Involved
We are looking for cardboard boxes and a used refrigerated box truck for food distribution and delivery! Ideal box: 20x16x10 medium-heavy cardboard grade with a volume of 1.5 cubic feet and can hold 35-40 lbs.
Contact partner@nullnewlifecenters.org with insight or leads.
Serve
Food Distribution: As food distribution expands, so does our need for volunteers to pack, hand out, and/or deliver food. See below to find a location and time slot that fits your availability. Please contact the site of your choice below and wait to hear back before arriving.
Pray
- Peace: Pray for peace in Chicago and that people would find healing and hope in the face of increased trauma and anxiety.
- The Community: Pray for provision and strength for families seeking basic provision, transitioning to e-learning, and enduring quarantine social isolation.
- Team: Pray for wisdom and strength for the New Life Centers team as we pivot to virtual programming, increased food distribution, and social limitations to street outreach.
Give
- Fund: Give to the Stronger Together Fund to come around young people and their families during this critical time. Help us support families struggling during this time and let them know they are not alone. We are stronger together!
- Corporate Donations:
- Food: Food donations in bulk will help us fill the increasing demand for weekly boxes of healthy food.
- Heavy Duty Packing Tape & Boxes: Donations of heavy duty packing tape and boxes in bulk will meet a critical need for packing boxes. Ideal box: 20x16x10 medium-heavy cardboard grade with a volume of 1.5 cubic feet and can hold 35-40 lbs.
- Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves, masks, and cleaning supplies will help ensure volunteers distributing food remain healthy as they do this critical work.
- Technology: Laptops and tablets in bulk and good condition will go to young people needing this technology to complete their e-learning through the rest of this academic year.
- Please e-mail partner@nullnewlifecenters.org with corporate donation opportunities.
Highlights
NEW Winter Hours!
In the News
The New York Times 3/31/2021, How Food Banks Succeeded and What They Need Now
WBEZChicago 2/8/2021, To Keep Up With Pandemic Demands, Chicago Food Pantries Expand — And Get A Facelift
Chicago Tribune 2/8/2021, Four new food pantries for Chicago’s South and West sides: ‘It is about the power of food to transform a community’
Fox32 Chicago 1/15/21, New Life Centers food pantry feeing thousands of families per week during extreme hardship
Chicago Tribune 12/22/20, ‘We want them to feel loved’: Hundreds of families receive groceries for Christmas dinner as Chicago area faces largest hunger crisis in four decades
Univision Chicago, 12/22/20, “Nos ayudan bastante”: familias reciben cajas de comida en La Villita
Block Club Chicago, 12/23/20, Chicago Is Experiencing The Biggest Hunger Crisis In Decades Because Of Coronavirus — And The Recovery Could Take Years
Barack Obama Instagram Shoutout!
Barack Obama highlighted the vital work of mentoring and why adapting to expand food distribution to families is so important during this crisis on Instagram! He shares that “It doesn’t take a pandemic to see how vital mentorship programs are to our communities—they ensure young people, especially those growing up in underserved neighborhoods, don’t get left behind.”