Englewood’s IMAN Food Pantry helps neighbors provide fresh groceries

CHICAGO (WLS) – The Inner-City Muslim Action Network in Englewood is working to put nutritious food on the table.

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

At least half of Englewood’s population does not have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food, according to The Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Annie McMurtry said, “I’m here to help, because I can’t get food stamps. I’ve worked all my life, yet can’t find them.”

But this is where IMAN, in partnership with GCFD, comes in with a mission to restore the availability and dignity of food with a model of customer choice.

“And we try to give members the experience of coming to the grocery store. They get to choose exactly the items they want,” said Jameel Wright, manager of the IMAN Food & Wellness Center.

IMAN’s community-driven mission aims to go beyond just meeting an urgent need.

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

The majority of people living in Englewood are black, and experts say systemic racism is a driving force behind the lack of resources in the neighborhood. But, such programs are actionable steps in the right direction.

Wright said, “It’s one thing to care about someone. It’s a whole ‘nother level of being able to actually do something about it.”

This is an example that goes unnoticed.

“I’m so grateful for this pantry, I’m so glad I ran across them,” said Sunshine Tally.

IMAN hosts food delivery every Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at 63rd and Racine.