MILDRED FRANKS CDC
FOOD PANTRY
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 2000
Food Mission
The MF CDC Food Pantry’s mission is to alleviate hunger in the Austin community by soliciting, collecting, growing, and packaging food for distribution through a network of agencies and programs, as well as providing opportunities for self-sufficiency. Our services include food box programs, emergency shelters, congregate meal sites, residential treatment services, and children’s programs...
Who are we?
MF CDC Community Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping alleviate food insecurity on the West Side of Chicago. The purpose of the MF CDC is to provide hunger relief services, hunger education, and awareness and advocacy to influence anti-hunger policy.
Our goal is to provide caring, consistent service through an equitable distribution of Pantry resources to all clients.
On a weekly basis, our volunteer-run organization serves clients in need, within the 60644, 60624, 60651, and 60639 zip codes, a 3-5 day supply of food from all food groups.
Location & Hours
5330 W. Division Chicago, IL 60651
MF CDC Community Food Pantry is located within the Bethal Deliverance Center 5330 W. Division St (60651). We are open every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday 10:00 am - 2:00pm
If you live within our service area, please come in during operating hours! We will register you as a client for monthly food allotments based on your family size or direct you to a food pantry that serves your neighborhood.
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
The Pantry will hold special holiday programs in November and December during which ONLY holiday-related food will be given out. Regular clients are eligible for these programs if they have visited the Pantry three times prior to the event during the calendar year.
COMMUNITY GARDEN :
Benefits for Underserved Communities
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Food Security: They supply fresh fruits and vegetables to areas lacking grocery stores or dealing with high food costs.
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Health Improvement: Participants consume more fresh produce and engage in healthy physical activity.
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Social Equity: They create safe gathering spaces, build neighborhood pride, and offer educational or vocational programs for youth and seniors.
Mildred Franks Community Development Corporation (MFCDC) works at the intersection of food, education, health, community development, and access to nature. Rooted in the West Side of Chicago, our work is grounded in the belief that every individual and family deserves access to healthy food, meaningful educational opportunities, safe and welcoming community spaces, and the resources needed to thrive.
Our community garden is an important part of this work. It provides residents with an opportunity to connect with the land, learn about gardening and healthy food, participate in hands-on activities, and build relationships with neighbors. The garden has become more than a growing space—it is a place for learning, nourishment, wellness, connection, and community pride.
MFCDC also partners with AmpleHarvest and Midwest Food Bank to strengthen our ability to address food insecurity and connect community members with food resources. These partnerships allow us to extend our reach and help ensure that nutritious food and other resources reach individuals and families who may experience barriers to consistent food access.
Our programs are designed to create opportunities for people to learn, lead, participate, and thrive. We work particularly with underserved Black and Latine communities and families who may face economic, social, or historical barriers to healthy food, education, green space, and other essential resources.
We envision an equitable community where people are nourished not only by good food, but also by healthy relationships, strong families, resilient neighborhoods, meaningful opportunities, and connection to the land.
Through our community garden, food partnerships, educational programming, and community engagement, MFCDC works to address food disparities while creating positive experiences that bring people together. We believe that food can be a bridge between health, education, culture, nature, and community.
Our vision is simple: when we invest in people, nourish families, cultivate our land, and strengthen our community connections, we create the conditions for everyone to flourish.
One garden. One family. One community at a time.
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Food insecurity is the state of being without a reliable or sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food
“Households with children are nearly 1.5x more likely to experience food insecurity than households without children"
— U.S. Department of Agriculture
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MFCDC grows healthy food, people, and community. With roots in the land, we create opportunities for people to learn, lead, and thrive...