RCS runs several outreach programs meeting the needs of those in the Ravenswood neighborhood and its surrounding communities. Every Tuesday night, between 250 and 350 neighbors come to our Food Pantry seeking a bag of groceries. We provide a nutritionally balanced grocery bag to each person, which includes fresh milk, bread and meat. We also offer a “no-kitchen” option with easy-to-fix items and p
op-top lids for our neighbors who primarily live on the streets. We run our Community Kitchen simultaneously, providing a family-style meal for more than 120 neighbors each week. Teams of dedicated volunteers prepare and serve a hot entrée, vegetable, bread and often dessert. Once a month, we partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Ravenswood Elementary School to bring a nutritious mix of groceries to neighborhood families in need of food assistance at our mobile Market Pantry. In a farmers market-like atmosphere, volunteers distribute fresh produce, meat, dairy items and shelf-staple food the second Saturday of every month ... in rain, shine or freezing temps! Several times a year, our dining hall is transformed into a four-star restaurant called the All Saints’ Café. At our Café, our neighbors enjoy choosing a gourmet multi-course meal from a specially prepared menu. They are also attended to by a wait staff and surrounded by music and entertainment. We partner with Ravenswood School in hopes of ensuring a powerful future for young people in our neighborhood. We produce the “Reality Fair,” a three-dimensional manifestation of the popular board game Life. This virtual game teaches 8th graders practical life skills, and helps students consider their futures. For more information on how to volunteer with us, or to make a tax-deductible donation to help provide hunger relief in our neighborhood, visit our website at www.ravenswoodcommunityservices.org or email [email protected].
