C&W Market Opens 5th Ward Food Pantry to Expand Pandemic Assistance

Evanston, IL, JUNE 1, 2022 - Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Clarence and Wendy Weaver, owners of C&W Market, 1901 Church St., in Evanston, have provided each Saturday free grocery pick-up and deliveries for up to 200 families in need. They will open a new food pantry with a ribbon cutting at 12:30 on June 4 at their market, 1901 Church St., in Evanston.

Through a partnership with the C&W Market, the Rotary Club of Evanston, and students from Northwestern University’s Civic Engagement Certificate Program, the delivery program will expand to a pantry adjacent to the market to broaden food options as the pandemic and its economic fallout continue. The pantry will feature donated shelving and a commercial refrigerator and freezer, allowing perishable goods to be made available, as needed.

“Because our store provides essential goods, it was pretty clear when the pandemic began that we needed to remain open as we were servicing our community despite the risk,” market owner Clarence Weaver explains. “That’s when the food needs came into play - and we saw what was needed in our community.”

Adding that resources and volunteers were the biggest challenge to developing the food give-away, Weaver notes, “You can’t give out groceries to that many families without a team of people that are committed – but immediately the community responded,” he adds. “We haven’t missed many Saturdays since March 2020 - and that’s because we have a consistent set of volunteers and a consistent set of people who are available when needed.”

While primarily serving Evanston’s 5th Ward, the pantry and its food delivery program are open to all in need. Working with the support of such Evanston organizations as the Evanston Community Foundation, Northwestern University, the Rotary Club of Evanston, Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, the NAACP, and other community organizations, the Weavers hope the pantry will continue to alleviate food insecurity due to the pandemic and its economic fallout.

To support the pantry and its ongoing food delivery program, the Weavers have recently formed the C&W Foundation. In addition, they are expanding their ice cream parlor concept with a recently purchased ice cream truck. “We also have to continue to do what we already do well – which is maintain the store.” Clarence adds.