Westchester Food Pantry
NOTE: the Pantry will be CLOSED Friday, January 1, 2021.
Effective June 1, 2020: Because of the pandemic, we must change some procedures and guidelines. The wellbeing of clients, volunteers and staff is our top priority. We are enacting strict safety procedures to reduce risk of transmission, and we ask that any volunteer who feels ill, or has been in close contact with someone who is sick, to stay home. Additionally, we are temporarily disallowing volunteers under the age of 16. All volunteers must wear a mask and practice proper social distancing whenever possible. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
There are four Friday volunteer options available:
GCFD receiving crew, 10am-12pm, first and third Fridays of the month: this crew receives our orders from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. It involves taking heavy boxes of cans, meat and produce from the GCFD pallet into the Pantry. Volunteers must have the ability to lift and move heavy boxes. Please provide your phone number if you are signing up for this slot, as sometimes the truck is delayed and we will let you know when it arrives.
Set out and sort crew, 12-2pm: this crew gets out all the food and sorts donations before they are packed for clients. We need some heavy lifters for this crew.
Set up crew, 2-4pm: ordinarily, this crew would set up the community room to look like a grocery store. Because we have moved to a drive-thru model to serve clients during the pandemic, this crew now packs 400+ bags of food. A few folks who can do heavy lifting are needed for this shift, but otherwise all ability levels are fine.
Client service crew, 4:45-7:45pm: pre-pandemic, this crew would help the clients "shop" in our pantry. Now, this crew brings groceries outside in carts to load them in client vehicles. A few folks who can do heavy lifting are needed for this shift, but otherwise all ability levels are fine. Dress warmly, as we are outside!
PLEASE NOTE: we will be operating the drive-thru model for client service, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Cancellations: We understand that things come up, people get sick, etc. If you have to cancel for any reason, please do so on the Sign Up Genius so that another person can step in. Be sure to give us as much notice as possible.
The Westchester Food Pantry is located in the Community Room of the Westchester Village Hall, 10300 Roosevelt Road, Westchester. The Community Room entrance is on the east side of the building across from the Post Office just off Municipal Drive. Come in the door marked "Building Department." Please park in the spaces facing the Post Office, if possible. We strongly urge you to dress comfortably and bring a water bottle. There is no water fountain in the community room, so you must bring your own beverage.
Questions about volunteering? Please email us at [email protected] Thank you!
