**Massive New Food Pantry Space Coming to Oak Park as Demand Skyrockets**
OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A massive new food pantry is coming to the west suburbs to meet the growing demand from families in need. Beyond Hunger, a local organization, reports that requests for food assistance have dramatically increased, prompting plans for an expanded facility in Oak Park.
The pantry, which has operated out of a church basement for two decades, will soon relocate to a spacious new location at the corner of North and Lombard Avenues. The 6,000-square-foot building was formerly a grocery store, offering ample room to serve more families in the community.
“We are building a space where hope is stocked on every shelf and is a part of every interaction, where neighbors can find not only food but a path forward,” said Jennie Hull, CEO of Beyond Hunger.
Since 2005, Beyond Hunger has experienced a 600% increase in demand, currently serving 69,000 people each year. Just in the last year, requests for food in the area have surged 39%, according to data from 211 Metro Chicago.
Hull explained, “Changes to benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, rising costs, and economic pressures mean more people will be turning to places like Beyond Hunger.”
Volunteer Stacey Mitchell shared her perspective: “It makes it hard for people to meet their basic needs. And so, to have a place where people can come and get their needs met is really outstanding.”
Currently, the pantry operates out of the basement of the First United Church of Oak Park. Volunteers move food from the basement to clients during Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
The pantry’s origins date back to the 1970s when it was known as the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry. “We used to rent a truck, go to the food depository, load up the truck, and bring it back. Then the two of us would unload it and have the food available for the families,” recalled Pat Koko, former director of the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry.
Koko is considered one of the “mothers” of the pantry. She expressed pride in the organization’s growth: “I can’t believe how exciting it is to see what they’ve developed into this organization that serves so many people. I wish we didn’t need it, but we do because we are needed.”
The new pantry space will require some remodeling before it opens. Beyond Hunger expects to welcome the community to the new location in 2027, providing a larger, more welcoming place for those facing food insecurity.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/beyond-hunger-open-new-food-pantry-old-grocery-store-north-lombard-avenues-oak-park/18737621/