The former Lakeview Pantry on the north side of Chicago has a new headquarters, a new name and a new mission to serve people all over the city. Wheeler Kearns Architects has brought the vision for Nourishing Hope to life with an amazing new facility.
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It started out as a food pantry on the north side of the city, providing food for millions of people. But food is just one way that people need to be nourished. The pantry has now becoming Nourishing Hope. It has a new, expanded mission to provide many social services to the people of Chicago.
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There is a newly-expanded online market operation, as well as new packing lines, to help Nourishing Hope continue its original mission of providing nutritious food to those in need. There is new warehouse space for dry, frozen and cold storage, new office and administrative areas and an auxiliary warehouse.

Moreover, a local artist painted the vibrant mural that graces the entrance to the building. The entrance is made to look more like a back door, which is accessed through a large private alley. Meanwhile, skylights and huge windows bring natural light into the interior spaces. There are new spaces and more room so the facility can provide various social services, in addition to food. Nourishing Hope also provides mental wellness services.

Big, open areas are separated by columns that allow light and people to flow easily from one season of the facility to another. There are bright colors and sunlight everywhere, airy spaces and lots of action and activity on any given day. Nourishing the body is important, but nourishing hope provides sustenance that lasts much longer than the span of just one meal.
Photography by Tom Harris