Feed the Love: Downtown Muslim Action Network’s pantry, Greater Food Chicago Depository offers fresh groceries in Englewood| Breaking News Updates

CHICAGO (WLS) – The Inner-city Muslim Action Network in Englewood works to put nutritious meals on the tables.

“Food insecurity here is almost one in two people. And if you consider children, it’s even more than that, ”said Ahmad Jitan, IMAN community organizer.

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, at least half of Englewood’s population does not have reliable access to enough nutritious and affordable food.

“The reason I’m here, to help myself, is because I can’t get food stamps. I’ve worked my whole life, still can’t get them,” said Annie. McMurtry.

But this is where IMAN, in partnership with GCFD, comes in with the mission of restoring the availability and dignity of food with the customer’s choice model.

“And we’re trying to give members the experience of going into the grocery store. In fact, they can choose the items they want,” said Jamil Wright, director, IMAN Food and Wellness Center.

IMAN’s community mission aims to go beyond the satisfaction of an immediate need.

“If there is an urgent need, we can meet that need because we are also thinking about how to address the systemic issues that create the need for pantry in the first place,” Jitan said.

The majority of people who live in Englewood are black, and experts say systemic racism is a driving force behind the neighborhood’s lack of resources. But, programs like this are concrete steps in the right direction.

“It’s one thing to care about someone. It’s a whole new level to actually be able to do something about it,” Wright said.

This is an example that does not go unnoticed.

“I am so grateful for this pantry, I am so happy to have met them,” said Sunshine Tallie.

IMAN organizes food distributions every Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at the 63rd and Racine.