For more than 20 years, 64-year-old Sharon McFarlin has worked as a homecare aide, devoting herself to helping older adults and people with disabilities live safely and comfortably at home.
But after a lifetime of caring for others, she never expected she’d be the one in need. When her longtime client passed away last year, her hours were slashed from 40 to just 15 a week.
“It was very hard for me. My paycheck was $600 for two weeks. That’s not enough to pay rent and get groceries on the table,” McFarlin recalled. “I had to take out a big loan just to pay my rent, and I’m still paying that back now.”
The Safer Foods pantry on the West side of Chicago is a lifeline to residents of the neighborhood. (Photos by Davon Clark for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.)
Today, McFarlin works full-time, but she’s still recovering from the impact of that financial setback. One resource that has helped her regain her footing is Safer Foods pantry in Homan Square, a Food Depository partner pantry.
She first visited the pantry when it opened in 2023, stopping by every now and then when groceries ran low. But when her hours were cut and her income plummeted, it became a lifeline.
“It’s very helpful to have this pantry around,” she said. “They have great food, and it really helps me out.”
A season of gratitude and giving
This Thanksgiving, the pantry’s impact felt especially strong for neighbors like Sharon. It’s not only a place to pick up weekly groceries – it’s a place where neighbors can find the ingredients to celebrate the holidays with dignity and joy.
A refrigerator full of Thanksgiving specialty proteins to serve to guests at Safer Foods pantry.
This holiday season, the Food Depository will distribute an additional 100,000 holiday food items, including whole turkeys, turkey breasts, whole chickens and Cornish hens, so that neighbors can share a festive meal with loved ones. Throughout November and December, we estimate our network will distribute enough food for nearly 700,000 holiday meals.
“Every year, the people get excited for the Thanksgiving food,” said pantry coordinator Jasmine Love. “It really helps them be able to celebrate the holidays in a special way.”
A volunteer helps guests with their groceries.
Sharon McFarlin was especially excited to receive a turkey breast. This year, she prepared a holiday meal for herself and her current home care client.
“I can’t wait to cook up this food, southern style,” she said, ahead of the holiday. “I love to cook. It makes me so happy.”
Meeting immediate needs while building long-term stability
The Safer Foods pantry opened just over two years ago in November 2023 in partnership with the Food Depository. The pantry is run by the Safer Foundation, which helps people with criminal records rebuild their lives through job placement, training and education, legal assistance, housing support and wellness initiatives.
Pantry coordinator Jasmine Love helps a guest with intake.
Creating a neighborhood food pantry was a natural extension of their mission. Safer Foods offers community members access to fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, proteins, shelf-stable staples and other essentials. But it also connects pantry guests to the comprehensive support services offered by Safer Foundation.
“We wanted this pantry to be a resource for the community,” said Love. “We wanted it to be a place where people feel supported and respected.”
A pantry run by the community, for the community
The pantry is staffed each week by volunteers, many of whom come from the Safer Foundation’s Adult Transition Center, a residential program that supports people returning from incarceration. For them, the pantry is both a place to serve and a space to receive support themselves.
Robert Aguilar (left) greets his fellow volunteers before going through the pantry line to pick out fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and specialty Thanksgiving food.
Robert Aguilar is one of those volunteers. He gives his time at the pantry regularly — stocking shelves, greeting visitors, and helping neighbors choose food for the week. He also picks up groceries for his own household.
“I’m very grateful for this pantry,” Aguilar said. “It’s a great place to get the essentials that my wife and I need. We don’t qualify for food assistance, but we still need the extra help when we can get it.”
Strengthening the neighborhood, one neighbor at a time
This Thanksgiving, the Safer Foods pantry – like hundreds of food pantries and programs supported by the Food Depository – stood as a reminder of what is possible when communities care for one another.
“I’m thankful for this pantry,” said McFarlin. “Without it, I don’t know how I would have made it.”
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