Share Food Share Love is a nonprofit food pantry in Brookfield, Illinois, dedicated to serving families across 15 villages in the western suburbs. According to the organization, its service area includes more than 7,000 people who live in households with incomes below the federal poverty level (FPL) and more than 21,000 residents who are considered at risk of becoming food insecure.
The pantry's primary source for food is the Greater Chicago Food Depository, but it also relies on generous donations from local grocery stores and from food drives from members of the community. On its days of service, volunteers are key to its food sharing process.
When our team arrived at the pantry, we were warmly greeted by volunteer leaders who gave us a quick tour of their grocery store setting and how we could help support visitors and manage shopper flow. We were all in place when the pantry opened its doors to neighbors in need.
It was a divide and conquer approach where some of us guided neighbors down each shopping aisle, helping fill a cart for their families. Others supported shoppers at special sections of the pantry, peeled and prepped vegetables and restocked shelves, and loaded food bags, boxes, and supplies into cars outside.
The team's hard work helped the pantry serve more than 50 families. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute our time to this effort of everyday importance. A healthy community begins with the ability for all its citizens—men, women, and children—to consistently have access to nourishing food. It's a matter of sharing food and sharing love.
If you'd like to volunteer, visit Share Food Share Love and register for an upcoming Tuesday or Saturday. If you and your family are threatened by food insecurity, visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository to locate a food pantry near you.
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