CHICAGO, IL (November 23, 2009) – The Bread of Life Food Pantry, a ministry of Gospel Way Covenant Church in Chicago, was one of the recipients recently awarded a $2,100 Jewel\/Osco Hunger Relief grant.
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\nThe pantry opened September 2005 with an all-volunteer staff, and this is the second year the pantry was awarded the grant from the grocery chain. The funds will help the food pantry reach more households in their service area in the South Shore area of Chicago, says director and Covenant minister Marva Watts.<\/p>\n
That need has skyrocketed. In the past year the number of households served has increased by more than 100 per cent, Watts says. \u201cWe are now serving an average of 120 households a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watts and pantry coordinator Ruby Hearn received the grant check during an awards ceremony November 2 at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The award will be used for transportation costs for picking up food from the Food Depository, additional storage shelving units, and technology support.<\/p>\n
The Bread of Life Food Pantry is open on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to – 10 a.m., but closed on the fifth Thursday each month. In response to requests by clients, Gospel Way has added a \u201cClothes Closet\u201d ministry that provides clothing for men, women, and children.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of the high unemployment rate in our community, exacerbated by the financial climate, there is a tremendous need for this ministry in the South Shore area,\u201d Watts says.<\/p>\n