Located in District IX in the West Elsdon neighborhood of Chicago, the small, but mighty St. Turibius Conference has been operating their food pantry throughout the pandemic, like so many of our Chicagoland Vincentians. Every second Monday of the month at 6:00 pm and every fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 am, the pantry is open for the community with contact-free distribution taking place in the Church parking lot due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The pantry has seen a marked increase in demand this past year, including families from the Religious Ed program and new families learning of the pantry via word of mouth. For anyone who needs food items outside the scheduled dates, the conference is sure to share contact information in the bulletin and with the parish office so that all who need may be served.
SVdP Chicago Council is donating 75 hams to be given out at the Easter food distribution on Monday, March 29th at 6:00 pm. In addition to the hams and sides, the families will also receive gift certificates from Pete’s Market and also Easter treats for the children. Breakfast items will also be given to all of the families who come to the distribution. St. Turibius has also been able to help provide for furry family members during this increased time of need. Obi’s Pet Pantry, a registered 501c3 nonprofit, has been coming to all of the food distributions to give pet food and other items to the families. The focus is to help keep pets in the home of the families that love them. Sr. Mary Beth B. shares that “being Franciscans we are happy that even the furry family members are able to receive help. Obi’s Pet Pantry has been a real blessing to us and to those we serve.”
SVdP Chicago Council is very appreciative to all the members of the Conference led by Sr. Mary Beth B., and especially to Irma C., Christine G., Edgar Q., and the church Youth Group for all of their help with the food pantry and major food distributions!
