Uptown food pantry seeing more in need during economic slump

Jan. 5, 2009

Story by Evan Minsker

An economic downturn sprouts many worries. Topping the list for food pantries across the country is, “Will we run out of food?”

That’s the issue the Jewish United Fund (JUF) is addressing. A financial crisis means more people in need.

“We’re definitely seeing more people coming to us for help as a result of the economic downturn,” said Linda Haase, the associate vice president of marketing communications with the JUF.

And to a food pantry, more people means less food.

Due to sagging donations, the Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center, a Jewish organization that serves disadvantaged Jewish families in the Uptown, Lakeview and Edgewater neighborhoods, was in need of some aid. The JUF is giving $93,000 in increased allocations to different agencies, including $4,500 to EZRA. The JUF, as Haase puts it, is “sort of like the United Way for Jewish charities.”

“We’re just trying to give EZRA money to buy more. EZRA has always given food to those who need it, but they need more,” Haase said. “They’ve always done this; more of it is needed now.”

Although EZRA is a multi-service center, one of their most valuable resources is their food pantry, The Uptown Café. The café provides for Jewish people across the city, but it is especially beneficial for Uptown. Crowley says that many Uptown citizens stop in to EZRA everyday just to ask about the different available services.

“We have Jewish clients from all over since we are a Jewish agency, but then again, it’s mainly based in our zip code area. It’s a community,” said Susan Crowley of EZRA.

Uptown isn’t the only neighborhood feeling the economic squeeze. According to Meghan Farno of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, there has been a 33 percent average increased demand throughout Cook County.

“You kind of see it on the news everyday, but unemployment rates are through the roof,” Farno said. “It’s been very humbling to see the need just kind of skyrocket.”

The Lakeview Pantry has had a 15 percent increase in demand for their services.

“There’s just been more traffic coming in the last couple of months,” said Brooke Wiles, Director of Development with the Lakeview Pantry. “I think it’s due to job loss.”

According to Wiles, the pantry has sustained the number of donations coming from individuals. However, some big name foundations have stopped donating altogether.

“They’re not just doing it to us, but to other non-profits as well. They’re not saying why, but that could be a part of the economy situation as well,” Wiles said.

In the year 2000, there were 15,530 people living below the poverty line in Uptown, according to the U.S. Census. For those who have to rely solely on food stamps, a food pantry is more than necessary.

“Food is more expensive. I know my dollar isn’t going as far at the grocery store. In Illinois, you’re getting $23 or $33 for food stamps. That’s not enough,” Crowley said. Aside from emergencies, EZRA is able to give people aide when their food stamp application hasn’t gone through.

But the silver lining of the economic slump has brought some good to The Uptown Café in that media coverage of EZRA’s sagging donations has spurred public reaction.

“A young boy did a mitzvah project and his mother and him gave us a lot of food,” Crowley said.

During hard times, giving seems like a natural reaction for some.

“For the holidays, our family decided none of the adults would exchange gifts and decided to give that money to charity. I don’t think by any means that we’re alone on that,” Haase said.