Lakeview Pantry Profile by RD

For my MDG's action project, I chose to research an organization that tries to reduce the number of people who suffer from hunger. I was studying MDG target number 1, which is to eradicate the number of people who suffer from hunger. To get a better understanding about this topic, I went to Lakeview Pantry. This pantry helps people get food, clothes and counseling. This made me realize that people in other countries are going through the same problems but they do not have access to that kind of help. I am very passionate about trying to end this problem and I plan on volunteering in the future.

Rd, Lakeview Pantry, Chicago, Illinois, 2013

Rd,Lakeview Pantry,Chicago, Illinois, 2013

The topic I chose was Target number one, which is to reduce the number of people who suffer from hunger. I chose this target because I feel very passionate about trying to end it. To be able to better understand the target, I went to Lakeview Pantry and talked to one of their executives, Erin Stephans. Lakeview Pantry addresses my target by distributing food to people who do not have access to it. Having food access is something that all humans need in order to survive. Lakeview Pantry not only tries to help end food hunger in the community, but it also tries to educate people about it. The organization believes if people are having a hard time trying to get food, chances are they are having a hard time with something else in life, and because of this they offer counseling for people to attend. Since this organization’s main focus is to help end hunger it would go under Malsow's physiological needs.

I talked to Erin Stephens, who is the director of the volunteering team and she said that they are able to access that human need by being open to donations, volunteering opportunities and also by fundraisers. Lakeview Pantry receives its food and produce through donations from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. While at the pantry I asked Erin some questions that I thought would give me a better understanding of what she does to help this cause. One of the questions I asked her was, "what made her want to work there?" She responded by saying, her mother was a social worker, and all her life she had been surrounded in that kind of environment, and she knew when she got older she wanted to do the same by helping out others. Another question I asked was, "how does dealing and helping out in unfortunate cases and people affect her personal life?" She said it can be very hard on her at times, and there are days where work really stresses her out, but she is glad that her mom worked with social services for so many years because her mom is who helps her get through hard times at work since they can both relate to one another. I also asked her "how she liked working there", and with a big smile on her face she said she loved it, and it was a very rewarding job. Erin also said that having a very warm heart helps out a lot during work. One thing I really liked hearing from her was, “regardless of what I feel, I’m just happy to know that I help out so many people”(Stephans).Throughout this interview I was able to learn so many things. I learned that all kinds of people go to Lakeview Pantry, and not just "poor" people. Erin told me that many people who come in are not poor, but what they call “food insecure.” Food insecure describes people who have jobs, but after paying bills and other expenses they just don't have enough money for food. I also learned that the Pantry gets in about 100 people a day. The organization distributes 1.5 million pounds of food per year (Lakeview Pantry).


When I walked in and saw all the people waiting for their food I felt really bad. It made me feel guilty because I am always complaining about the food that I have at home, but the people at the Pantry are happy and grateful of whatever they can get. Erin also gave me a tour around the Pantry, and I was able to see where they kept all the food and produce and how hard volunteers and staff work to keep Lakeview Pantry the best place it can be. Thanks to this project I have a better understanding of how I, and many other people can do to help end world hunger.






Citations

Interview:

Stephens, Erin. Personal Interview. 13 September. 2013.

Photograph:

Dorantes, Rebecca. Lakeview Pantry. 2013. Original Photograph. Chicago, Illinois.

Dorantes, Rebecca. Lakeview closet. 2013. Original Photograph. Chicago, Illinois.

Website:

"495,000 Chicagoans are suffering from food insecurity." Lakeview Pantry. 16 Sept. 2013 <http://www.lakeviewpantry.org/>.