CHAPTER NEWS
Chicago (IL) Alumni Senior Kappas Start Food Bank
M any chapters across Kappa Alpha Psi® coordinate with lo- cal Food Banks in providing periodical manpower support. The Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter (CAC) is establishing a unique concept of launching a Food Bank in their facility. On Saturday August 24 th , CAC held its inaugural Woodlawn Community Produce Distribution in the west Woodlawn neighborhood at the Edward G. Ir- vin Foundation Achievement Center. Brothers and their family members distributed natural fresh produce to neighborhood residents. Approxi- mately 300 people were served in a two-hour period. CAC polemarch Melvin Flowers (Iota Kappa 1988) commented, “I thought the event was outstanding and based on my observation was well received by the community and from people who were not there, but heard about the event. I firmly believe the brothers enjoyed working the Product Distribution Event and many will sign up for the second event next month.” Brother Rich- mond Briscoe (Beta 1998) remarked about the day’s event, “We fed the people today!! We gave fresh locally grown produce to the people of our community who could not otherwise afford the food.” Polemarch Flowers used the term “combating food deserts” to describe the inaugural event. “The members of Kappa Alpha Psi distrib- uted natural fresh produce which is incredibly scarce in this food desert. Although a new Jewel Osco grocery store has opened in Woodlawn area, there remains food access issues in west Woodlawn, where the Kappas have planted our flag and Coat of Arms.”
Food Deserts
late Conception. In March 2019. In July of 2019, CAC SKAC met with Dr. Bridget Outlaw who informed brothers on best practices regarding establishing and operating a Food Pantry. She shared her grant writing knowledge on steps CAC needed to qualify and apply for grant funding for a planned Food Pantry. Brother McMurray drafted and submit- ted CAC’s petition to the Senior Kappa Endowment Grant which provided CAC with a $1,000 grant. SKAC secured an additional $1,400 of commitments from donors to help underwrite the project. As part of its plan, CAC will operate the monthly Produce Distribution Event for 12 months with a goal to open a Food Pantry at EGIF Center weekly for two hours. CAC is responsible for pro- vide the locale, marketing the program and coordinating a minimum of 15-25 volunteers for each distribution. Brother McMurray commented. “For the next eleven months CAC receives free produce from the GCFD to distribute to our community. The Produce Distribu- tion terminates August 2020 therefore these next 11 months the chapter will be ramping up to launch a Food Pantry by September 2020. It is important to understand that de- pendence on this program is only going to increase as word spreads throughout our neighborhood. 279 families signed for assistance on Saturday afternoon. The average household was 3.5 mem- bers. Therefore, we feed over 1,000 individuals with minimal marketing. SKAC and the Edward G. Irvin Foundation, a 501(3) which owns the EGIF Center, is working on dedicat- ing one room in the 13,000 square foot The GCFD will supply up to 10,000 lbs. of fresh produce to distribute. Future Plans
The availability and accessibility to natural fresh produce is becoming in- creasingly a challenge for many citizens that reside in inner cities and even rural communities. These areas are called “Food Deserts.” On the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a definition of what is a food desert. “Some neighborhoods in the United States, particularly those in low-income areas, have been dubbed “food deserts” because residents do not live near super- markets or other food retailers that carry affordable and nutritious food. Low-in- come residents of these neighborhoods and those who lack transportation rely more on smaller neighborhood stores that may not carry healthy foods or may offer them only at higher prices. A lack of healthy options could lead to poor diets and to diet-related condi- tions such as obesity or diabetes. If low-income households in food deserts can only purchase food at higher prices, they may be more prone to food insecu- rity—not having enough food for active, healthy living.” Led by its Senior Kappa Affairs Committee (SKAC), CAC is working with The Greater Chicago Food De- pository (GCFD) to establish a Mobile Distribution Program at the Edward G. Irvin Foundation (EGIF) Achievement Center. Spearheaded by CAC Senior Kappa Affairs Chair Brother James McMurray (Pi 1970) and Brother William Boyd (CAC 1976), the Food Bank originated from both brothers meeting with existing Food Banks t local Chicago Catholic churches, St. Columbinas and Immacu- Background
166 | FALL 2019 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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