WEST ENGLEWOOD — As thousands of Chicagoans prepare to potentially lose access to a federal food assistance program, a South Side organization is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to combine music with advocacy and connect neighbors to accessible food options in the community.
The Inner-City Muslim Action Network, known as IMAN, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository will host the Save Our SNAP Block Party noon-6 p.m. Saturday at the Go Green Griot Plaza, 1201 W. 63rd St.
The free event will feature live performances from local artists Heavy Crownz, Shawnee Dez, Nico Segal, DJ Cash Era and more, along with creative activations and workshops.
The day-long celebration is a direct response to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, that went into effect this month, said Andres M., IMAN’s director of communications. IMAN is a partner organization in Save Our SNAP, a statewide coalition of organizations committed to boosting access to affordable, fresh food and protecting the federal program.
Changes to the federal program made in February under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” required people 18-64 to prove they work, participate in education or training programs, volunteer or do community service, or any combination of the aforementioned, for a minimum of 80 hours per month to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
People who did not fulfill work requirements or submit for an exemption will lose access to the food assistance program this month. Over 1.6 million people in Illinois received SNAP benefits as of April, state data shows.
The Save Our SNAP Block Party will provide an opportunity for neighbors to find flexible volunteer hours, sign up for existing exemptions, connect with organizations across the South and Southwest sides and not be “blindsided” by any changes to the federal program, Andres said.
“This isn’t just a political choice or a policy issue — this is a moral issue,” Andres said. “This is something we have the sacred duty to actually confront. If my neighbor next to me is going hungry or doesn’t have the means to be able to get basic food access, then what does that say about me?”
Ahmad Jitan, a community organizer for the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), helps a man select groceries at IMAN’s Food and Wellness Center. Credit: Kenneth Johnson/Greater Chicago Food Depository
The IMAN Food and Wellness Center, 1216 W. 63rd St., opened in the heart of West Englewood in 2021 as an avenue for neighbors in need to shop with dignity. The pantry’s client choice model allows residents to browse and shop as they would at a grocery store.
Much like at food pantries across the city, the center has seen an uptick in visitors since the end of last year, Andres said.
As Chicagoans witnessed the federal deployment of ICE agents and “state-sanctioned violence came and terrorized entire communities,” people became fearful of leaving their homes, and the organization stepped up to provide fresh food in the community, Andres said.
Thousands of people losing SNAP benefits and the rising costs of living have created more traffic at the IMAN Food and Wellness Center, Andres said.
“There’s a lingering anxiety as we see a lot of these democratic processes gutted and eviscerated in front of our eyes,” Andres said. “An existential crisis has gripped people as they face the fear of what happens next. Every week is a new adjustment or update.”
But moments of turmoil and desperation have allowed collaborative spaces to be built and collective power to take shape among organizers, community leaders and residents.
“It’s been beautiful to glimpse what it means to be in community and solidarity beyond the general buzz words that we use nowadays,” Andres said.
The Save Our SNAP Block Party is a result of community forces uniting to foster healing, creative expression and liberation — even in uncertain times, Andres said.
Hosting the celebration at the Go Green Griot Plaza, a space that had long been vacant before it was transformed into a vibrant hub, is a reminder of the impact collective work can have in the community, Andres said.
The “Save Our SNAP Block Party” will take over the ‘Go Green Griot’ Plaza Saturday. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Beyond art and creative expression, Saturday’s celebration will hopefully express to neighbors that access to food is an issue that impacts everyone in the country, not just the people who need federal assistance, Andres said.
People who haven’t been directly affected by SNAP cuts can attend the festival to connect their impacted neighbors to resources and organizations, Andres said.
For neighbors in need, the work at the IMAN fest won’t stop after Saturday, Andres said.
“Oftentimes, when we have events, marches or protests, it can feel like we’re mobilizing for specific moments that are disparate, disconnected actions, and it can be disillusioning when you realize that there’s nothing that follows after,” Andres said. “What would be really beautiful, and what we’re hoping for as an organizing space, is driving home that this is a continuous effort. This is hopefully an entryway or continual path for people to get involved in whatever capacity they have.”
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