For many low income communities, affordable food, especially affordable healthy food, is in short supply. To help address this problem, Heartland Human Care Services (HHCS), in partnership with the City of Chicago, NeighborSpace, Rush University Medical Center, Breakthrough Ministries, and Our Lady of the Angels Food Pantry, operates a 2.6-acre urban farm in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. We are able to grow, harvest and distribute our produce with crucial support from our volunteers and our transitional job participants who are working to overcome many barriers to secure permanent full-time jobs. The produce we grow goes to our food pantry program, Vital Bridges, where those who are living with HIV and AIDS and are unable to afford food can select what they would like at no cost and receive individualized nutritional assessments and educational sessions.
In 2023, we made a difference in the community by:
- Producing over 28,000 servings of produce (that’s 7,400 pounds of fresh, organic produce)
- Providing meals to 830 Vital Bridges and Marjorie Kovler Center participants
- Hosted at least 30 organized volunteer opportunities for corporate and community groups
- Engaged approximately 800 volunteers at the East Garfield Park urban farm
With your help, we hope to serve more people and continue beautifying the community, while bringing fresh, healthy produce to those who need it most. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit the “Learn More” section below or contact us at farmworksvolunteers@heartlandhumancareservices.org.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address:
East Garfield Park
407 N. Albany Ave.
Chicago IL 60612
LEARN MORE
Volunteer at FarmWorks