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PFP's new home.

The RDLF team visited the new home of Pilsen Food Pantry (PFP) last week and were excited to see their exciting plans and layout firsthand. PFP purchased the new building at 2124 South Ashland Avenue in March 2023. A complete renovation will allow PFP to significantly expand their mission. The basement will allow community partners a space to meet and provide after school workshops.  The first floor includes a welcoming food pantry and clothing closet. The second floor offers a kitchen, additional community space and art exhibits.  PFP is also exploring the opportunity to install a green roof and urban garden in 2024.

The inside of PFP's new home, with beautiful wooden ceilings and renovation supplies along the floor.

In their 5 years of operation, Pilsen Food Pantry has served over 90,000 households. They provide food, clothing, books, bikes, school supplies, medical equipment, special holiday distributions, and events. Their new home will allow them to expand their wellness programs in an effort to provide wraparound care.

PFP has a history of stepping up and doing what It takes to best assist their clients. The team responded to COVID immediately and tripled their outputs at a challenging time. And when the recent migrant crisis arose, they recognized their complex social needs and continue to manage support with safety, food, clothing, shelter and healthcare.

RDLF has partnered with PFP for more than three years. In addition to participating in our Fresh Produce Program, supplementing their weekly food distributions with hyper-fresh culturally-relevant fruits and vegetables, we have supported them by also providing school supplies and winter weather clothing and gear for folks in need.

We congratulate PFP on this impressive project and we look forward to the official launch of their new home this summer. If you’d like to stay up to date on their progress, follow them on Instagram!

Volunteers at PFP's painting party.

Carlos Flores posing with a slight smile outside in front of Chicago Art Dept sign.

Congratulations to Carlos Flores, Programs Manager at our partner organization Chicago Art Department, who was named a 2023 Leader for a New Chicago.

Each of the 10 Leaders picked this year will receive a $25,000 unrestricted award. In addition, their affiliated organization will receive a $25,000 general operating grant.

“Carlos Flores is an installation artist, radical community arts organizer, curator, and flower farmer based in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago. Both his visual practice and organizing work center around creating space for connection, generation, and care to take place. At Chicago Art Department (CAD), he leads the organization’s residencies and exhibitions, supporting twenty civically-minded artists and over 100 free exhibitions and programs annually. CAD residents are activists, educators, and community leaders of their own.”

Carlos leverages collaboration to engage broad audiences in critical dialogue to reimagine places of power and systematic erasure, cultivating cross-cultural healing between BIPOC communities.”

For over five years, the Reva and David Logan Foundation have contributed to artist residencies, civic programs, and capacity-building. By all means, the attention and care CAD provides for their artists is unparalleled. They excel in engaging not only the artistic community but the local Pilsen community as well. We have no doubt that CAD will continue to inspire positive and radical change across the city of Chicago. This summer, check out some of their inspiring exhibitions and workshops. Details are on their website.

Pictures of all 10 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago awardees.
Pictures of the 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago awardees with the title, "Power in Community."