April 4, 2023

The Epstein Community Foundation was founded in 2008 to continue the community focus philosophy instilled within the company by Sidney Epstein. Since then, the ECF has partnered with numerous established, charitable organizations to help empower people in our communities to improve their lives.

Most recently, volunteers in both our Chicago and New York offices spent time with their respective, local food pantries to package meals and other nutritious food to be distributed throughout the city and even the state.

In New York, ECF partnered with NY Common Pantry, an organization that reduces hunger and promotes dignity, health and self-sufficiency. Our volunteers helped to package non-perishable foods in addition to providing supplemental packages including protein, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. They also focused on distributing to families and individuals with the pantry’s program cards. Post-shift, our volunteers assisted Common Pantry with helping to clean up and tidying.

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ECF New York volunteers L to R: Deborshi Das, Jonathan Vega, Paul Sanderson, Shane Brunner, Patrick Wyszynski

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Meanwhile, our Chicago ECF volunteers visited the Greater Chicago Food Depository to repack donated and purchased food delivered in bulk. This included sorting produce, inspecting and boxing shipments of bread, or repacking bulk dry goods into smaller quantities for distribution. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has proudly provided food for neighbors in need across Chicago and Cook County since 1979. Over the years, they have expanded and evolved our programs and services to meet the changing needs of those they serve.

In total, the ECF Chicago volunteers repacked 6,312 lbs. of beans, which equals 5,260 meals and 125 meals per volunteer. They also repacked 11,400 lbs. of potatoes, which equals 9,500 meals and 216 meals per volunteer. This comes out to a grand total of 17,712 lbs. of food repacked, and 14,760 meals repacked!

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ECF Chicago volunteers L to R: Sheryl O'Reilly Stevens, Chad Ware, Alex Bieschke, Jin Xing, Sean King, Brett Walker, John Lach, Jennifer Heiney

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A HUGE thank you to those who were part in helping our communities. We can’t wait for the next one!