The Bloom Township Food Pantry Inc., in partnership with Bloom Township Government, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony presenting Bloom Township Food Pantry’s new 3,000 square foot storage and distribution facility. Located on 425 S. Halsted St., in Chicago Heights, the Bloom Township Food Pantry has become a member agency with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help combat hunger. With a population of over 90,000 residents living in Bloom Township which includes the towns of Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Lynwood and Sauk Village, nearly 20,000 residents are considered food insecure.

In addition to feeding the hungry, the Bloom Township Food Pantry also aims to encourage self-sufficiency and sustainability through resources and education. Working in conjunction with Bloom Township Government, the Bloom Township Food Pantry also provides job training skills to members of the General Assistance Workfare and Youth Employment programs respectively. Future plans for the Bloom Township Food Pantry include offering an on-site community garden and scheduling educational cooking classes that focus on proper nutrition for creating a balanced meal. The Bloom Township Food Pantry is open to all Bloom Township residents. Food Pantry Program members are eligible for food package once a month. Distribution is available every Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We are really excited about being able to provide residents of Bloom Township the nutrition needed during a food emergency or shortage, we look forward to providing this service to our community,” said Leticia Gonzalez, Bloom Township Food Pantry Director. For more information about the Bloom Township Food Pantry Inc. and Bloom Township Government programs and updates, please visit www.bloomtownship.org.