La Bodega del Barrio Food Bank Addresses Food Justice in the Community Under the Slogan Solidarity not Charity

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As the City settles into a new “normal”, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center is restructuring its programs to better assist our community.  La Bodega del Barrio Food Bank at 2628 W. Division St., a food bank for people affected by HIV, has expanded its services. Spearheaded by new leadership, La Bodega del Barrio Food Bank now offers food accessibility to the general population in need, health education classes for all, and physical activity for those who are 18 years and older. 

La Bodega is collaborating closely with AMITA Health Saint Mary and Saint Elizabeth Medical Center and Borra College of Health Sciences at Dominican University to offer health education classes. La Bodega conducted several online nutritional classes in the fall of 2020 as well as an online and a limited in-person (with RSVP) winter nutritional series of classes, which followed strict state and city guidelines in accord with COVID-19 safety measures. Now the online and in-person Spring Health Education Series is here for those who wish to take these classes – either online or in person with an RSVP. All classes are conducted in both English and Spanish. Additionally, Muévete, the physical activity program, has partnered with La Bodega to have a steady streamline of food access, health education and physical activity designed to improve wellbeing. As we all know, proper nutrition and physical activity are essential elements in our battle against illness. Currently, the Muévete classes take place online Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning at 6:30pm. Once the City opens to capacity, Muévete will resume at its regular locations, i.e., the Empowerment Center 2753 W. Division St., Humboldt Park Field House 1440 N. Sacramento Blvd., and Kosciuszko Park Field House 2732 N. Avers. 

Aligning with The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s mission of self-actualization, self-reliance, and self-determination, La Bodega del Barrio Food Bank is unlike any other food bank in that we collaborate with local businesses and grocers to set up a food voucher system here in the community. This system provides participants a level of food security and dignity through a voucher-based access to food. The participants themselves go to the grocers of their choice and select only the food they want for themselves. It is an affirmation of their autonomy. In addition to providing this form of empowerment to the community we are also supporting our local grocers and businesses to stay open during these trying times. 

We are also looking to collaborate with local farmers to further extend our reach for food accessibility. If you are a farmer, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

If you would like more information on our services, such as food assistance, health education classes and physical activity or if you know someone who could benefit from our services, please contact us and let us know.

If you would like to know more about La Bodega del Barrio Food Bank please call or email us at 773-342-0855, [email protected].

In accordance with state and city guidelines of COVID-19 safety measures, all visits are by appointment only.  

The Health Education Spring schedule: 

Thursdays at 2:00pm, April 1, April 15, May 20, and June 24, 2021. 

Online and in person, RSVP is required for in-person classes.