Irving Park Food Pantry Will Build New Facility
The pantry plans to open its new, expanded building next fall to accommodate a surge in local demand.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Irving Park Community Food Pantry will move into a new facility at 4111-13 N. Pulaski Road by next fall. This expansion aims to support the 100 households the organization serves weekly following a 66 percent rise in demand between 2021 and 2025.
Why it matters
Rising grocery costs and reduced SNAP benefits have significantly increased the need for local food assistance. The new facility will allow the pantry to manage this growth effectively after operating out of a church for many years.
The pantry has raised $1.5 million toward its $1.8 million capital campaign goal, with $255,000 still needed by early December. The project is supported by a $1 million city grant and $400,000 from the state.
The players
Irving Park Community Food Pantry
This local organization has provided food assistance to the Chicago community for 42 years.
Irving Park Lutheran Church
The church is partnering with the food pantry to construct the new facility on N. Pulaski Road.
Emanuel United Methodist Church
This institution has served as the base of operations for the food pantry since 2019.
The details
Constructed in partnership with Irving Park Lutheran Church, the new 4,500-square-foot site replaces the pantry's current operations at the Emanuel United Methodist Church. The expansion is critical to maintaining service for the 100 households visited weekly by the organization, which currently operates with 1.5 full-time equivalent employees.
Timeline
January 2025 marked the official launch of the pantry's capital campaign.
Between 2021 and 2025, the pantry experienced a 66 percent increase in demand.
The deadline to raise the remaining $255,000 is early December.
Groundbreaking for the new facility is targeted for February.
The organization plans to move into the new space by next fall.
Market Landscape
The expansion follows the broader trend of food pantries across the country scaling infrastructure to match increased food insecurity triggered by declining federal nutrition benefits. This move secures the pantry's capacity to serve as a critical safety net against rising regional grocery costs.
Residents relying on the pantry can expect a larger, more efficient space for food distribution by next fall. This expansion is designed to ensure the pantry can continue providing weekly support to 100 households despite rising regional living costs.
The takeaway
The pantry's transition to a standalone facility reflects the growing necessity of robust local social infrastructure. Residents looking to support the community can contribute to the capital campaign ahead of the upcoming December deadline.
What happens next
The organization faces a deadline in early December to raise an additional $255,000 to remain on track for its February groundbreaking.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address food insecurity on the Chicago Philanthropy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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