In response, food pantries and soup kitchens<\/a> worked to meet record demand<\/a>, while a number of local restaurants have been providing free or discounted meals<\/a>.\u00a0Even as benefits are restored, millions of people could lose benefits as the Trump administration vows to make everyone in the program reapply. <\/a><\/p>\n Neighbors have pitched in with the effort, too. Block Club caught up with six Chicagoans who are feeding their community one pot of soup \u2014 or cake \u2014 at a time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Porch Pantry And Soup Giveaways<\/p>\n For Beverly resident Mary Hurley, sharing food is a way of expressing compassion. Since Halloween, Hurley has regularly been leaving homemade food \u2014 including delicious soups \u2014 on her porch steps for anyone to take.<\/p>\n \u201cCooking and baking is how I show love,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cI hope to ease the burden off of anyone who is experiencing food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n Hurley varies the menu but sticks with hearty foods that are relatively easy to transport, including pasta bakes, tortellini soup and chili. She posts her giveaway menu on Facebook.<\/p>\n Hurley said the response has been tremendous, and she hopes to continue at least through the end of November. She also plans to add toiletries, hygiene products and even pet food.<\/p>\n \u201cNeighbors have donated funds and non-perishibles and sent supportive messages to help,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Letting Them Eat Cake<\/p>\n Andersonville resident Bianca Ungerman-Ferring has a sweet offer. On Nov. 8, she posted in the Andersonville Facebook page, \u201cIf you are on SNAP and have a birthday coming up, I\u2019d love to bake you a birthday cake.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The post has received hundreds of likes and several inquiries. The first cake, delivered on Saturday, was vanilla with buttercream and raspberry filling.\u00a0<\/p>\n While not a professional baker, Ungerman-Ferring said making cakes is a passion she wants to share with others. <\/p>\n \u201cEvery year you make it to your next birthday you should celebrate,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ungerman-Ferring hopes the cakes will offer a little comfort during challenging times. She plans to continue as long as the interest is there.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople receiving SNAP benefits are human beings,\u201d she said. \u201cCanned food is great, but they still should have dessert. \u2026 With so much access being taken away, these moments of joy are even more important.\u201d<\/p>\n School Pantries\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Krystal Isler, an art teacher at The Collins Academy High School, 1313 S. Sacramento Drive in North Lawndale, took action after feeling helpless all year in the wake of major federal funding cuts.<\/p>\n Isler decided to create a food pantry for students, staff and the surrounding community when SNAP benefits were paused. After clearing it with the principal, she set up a GoFundMe<\/a> and collaborated with the student council to get donations and bring in food.\u00a0The GoFundMe has raised $1,600 as of Sunday.<\/p>\n The pantry is set up in the school\u2019s art wing, away from the school\u2019s primary classrooms. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen the SNAP benefits became frozen, I realized there was something I could do,\u201d Isler said. \u201cThere are a lot of people in the community who benefit from food assistance. \u2026 Here they can grab what they need, with no questions asked.\u201d<\/p>\n The food pantry\u2019s design is similar to a grocery store, with items stocked and labeled on shelves. The pantry even has a QR code that lists its current inventory, and people can put in a request for specific items.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis should be a comforting experience for anybody who needs extra help,\u201d Isler said. \u201cThere is no shame in that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The pantry is open to Collins Academy families and members of the community, who can call the school at 773-534-1840 to request a to-go package.<\/p>\n Satisfying Soup Kits<\/strong><\/p>\n Morgan Mullins, a registered dietitian in Lincoln Park, is stirring the pot for good. She and her husband have been putting together soup kits and donating them to Nourishing Hope<\/a> food pantry. Each kit includes a can of black beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, green chilis, taco seasoning and vegetable broth. She shared the recipe and directions for packing the ingredients on her Instagram page to inspire others to do the same.<\/p>\n As a former dietician at Chicago-area charter schools, Mullins has firsthand experience with planning nourishing meals for families on a tight budget.<\/p>\n \u201cThe majority of the kids were on free or reduced meal plans, so I saw the impact of food insecurity, but also the benefit of government assistance programs,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cWith food costs rising, the SNAP freeze and the holidays coming, this is something small we can do to help.\u201d<\/p>\n College Campus Pantry\u00a0<\/p>\n Jill Hallett, a linguistics professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, was recently approached by Chloe Swerdlick, a graduate student in the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics, who was concerned with how the cuts in SNAP benefits were affecting the school.<\/p>\n After brainstorming short- and long-term solutions, they set up a food pantry in a Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics community space and sent an email to the school\u2019s community members to help fund it.<\/p>\n \u201cWithin hours, we raised $700 and I placed a food order to get it started,\u201d Hallett said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The pantry offers snacks like granola bars plus more substantial options such as microwaveable macaroni and cheese. Hallett supplements it with apples and other produce that won\u2019t spoil as quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/581933360_2298995723949776_4819422464620752897_n-1024x768.jpg\")
Beverly neighbor Mary Hurley leaves food (and pet supplies) on her porch and drive way. Credit: Facebook\/Mary Hurley<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Bianca-Cake-e1763327877705-1024x684.jpg\")
Andersonville resident Bianca Ungerman-Ferring is offering make birthday cakes for any SNAP recipients whose birthday fell during the pause in benefits. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/96112957_1762206140976799_r-1024x579.jpeg\")
Teachers at Collins Academy in North Lawndale launched a food pantry in the school. Credit: Courtesy GoFundMe<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chloebags-e1763326462106-1024x682.jpeg\")
Students, faculty and staff have teamed up to open a pop-up pantry at University of Illinois Chicago in wake of SNAP benefits being paused. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/472269116_1148651716832989_4541328650359600580_n-1024x768.jpg\")
19th Ward Mutual Aid is hosting another mutual aid drive from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Holy Nativity Church, 9300 S. Peasant Ave. Credit: Courtesy 19th Ward Mutal Aid<\/p>\n