By: Brian Johns
In support of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Fresh Produce Day, over 20 YLS members braved the cold temperatures on Saturday, February 6 outside the Kelly Hall YMCA to help distribute food and clothing to approximately 250 families in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood. Fresh Produce Day, which partners with The Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Mobile Food Pantry, is hosted at three YMCA locations throughout Chicago each month to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables, and sometimes clothing, to local families in need.
The morning began with volunteers sorting and organizing food from the Mobile Food Pantry truck. Volunteers also helped sort and organize a large amount of winter clothing, which was donated by patrons of Mission of Our Lady of the Angels and YLS members.
After the items were organized, volunteers assisted the recipient families as they made their way through the makeshift assembly line to gather their food and clothing.”The best part about volunteering for The Fresh Produce Day was the opportunity to meet the families and hear how grateful they were for the help I was providing,” Tim Petersen, Analyst Northern Trust and YLS Volunteer Committee member.
Kelly Hall YMCA opened in January of 2009 in the recreation center formerly used by Our Lady of Angels Catholic School with the goal of providing key services to the severely underserved community of West Humboldt Park.The Mobile Food Pantry is one of those key services and is the result of a successful partnership between Kelly Hall YMCA and the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels.
