Northfield Township Marks 175 Years, Unveils New Food Pantry

GLENVIEW, IL — Since 1850, Northfield Township has been serving residents in Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield with essential services including general and emergency assistance, property tax help, a road district, and the operation of one of the busiest food pantries in the area.

Earlier this year, Patch reported about a campaign to raise $1.5 million to held fund the building of a new, state-of-the-art facility for the food pantry at 2550 Waukegan Road in Glenview. The larger, more accessible pantry will be located upstairs from the current location. The goal was reached, and soon, the new space will be unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This milestone [175 years] isn’t just about the past — it's about the future we're building together," said Shiva Mohsenzadeh, Northfield Township supervisor and food pantry board president. "The new food pantry space represents our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community with compassion, dignity, and respect. We're excited to welcome residents, partners, and friends to celebrate with us."

RELATED: Northfield Township Food Pantry Reaches $1.5M Goal For New Space

A celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the pantry from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 17, and are open to the public. The ribbon-cutting will take place around 4:15 p.m., according to officials.

The event will celebrate the Township's legacy of service since its establishment, while also showcasing the completion of its food pantry expansion — "a vital resource" that helps provide food and support to more than 1,100 households across our community. The upgraded pantry now features ground-level access, wider aisles, increased storage, a walk-in freezer, and a dedicated volunteer workspace.

Officials said guests are invited to tour the upgraded space, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about the many services the Township provides.

"This transformative campaign, the first and only capital campaign in the pantry's more than 50-year history, has been a resounding success thanks to the extraordinary support of our community," Roxanne Dunn, community outreach coordinator for the Northfield Township and Food Pantry, said in January. "Individuals, families, philanthropic agencies, and local businesses came together to make this vision a reality, and we are deeply grateful for their generosity and belief in our mission."

As part of its community investment fund, Endeavor Health partnered with the pantry by awarding $300,000 to the "Growing for Good" campaign, which concluded on Jan. 31. Officials said that donation got the pantry to the $1.5 million mark.

According to Shiva Mohsenzadeh, board president of the Northfield Township Food Pantry, the pantry has been serving an additional 500 families since 2020 as local residents have experienced a steep increase in the price of groceries.

"This new facility will allow us to provide a dignified and welcoming experience for our clients while enabling our volunteers to work more effectively," Mohsenzadeh said. "We are deeply grateful for Endeavor Health's partnership and commitment to addressing food insecurity in our community."

The Northfield Township Food Pantry started over 50 years ago when community members began distributing food from a supply closet. The pantry serves more than 1,100 households annually, while averaging over 850 visits a month.

In addition to distributing food, the pantry coordinates special programs throughout the year to provide additional groceries, store gift cards, and birthday bags for families and children.

For more information about the Northfield Township Food Pantry and its efforts to fight food insecurity in the local community, visit here.