Bronzeville Non-Profit Feeds Community Mental Health with 400 Boxes of Free Groceries
Michelle Brown packs up groceries for a Bronzeville resident at Coffee Hip Hop & Mental Health’s food distribution on Saturday, Oct. 17. The non-profit has distributed approximately 3,000 boxes of groceries since June. (Photo/Izzy Stroobandt)
By Izzy Stroobandt
Dairy, produce, 8 pounds of meat and a gallon of milk—all for free.
With just two plastic folding tables, a stack of paper bags and 400 cardboard boxes of groceries, Christopher LeMark witnessed his non-profit’s mission statement playout first-hand in his neighborhood streets over the weekend.
Growing up in Bronzeville, LeMark’s upbringing mirrors that of people he now hopes to help through his 501(c)(3); Coffee, Hip Hop & Mental Health (CHH&MH).
He remembers how it felt to be “scraping at the bottom, trying to make things happen,” while living in group homes, shelters, and when homeless. “People have been taking care of me my whole life,” Lemark said, “It’s only right that when I’m able to take care of people, I take care of my community.”
LeMark started CHH&MH with a clear goal—to “beautify people” by normalizing therapy and providing resources.
“Food insecurity is poor mental health,” LeMark said, standing on the corner of 51st St. and S. Calumet Ave. The food distribution event on Oct. 17 and 18 was just one example of how CHH&MH tackles the root issues causing mental health decline.
Bundled in layers and equipped with gloves and masks, LeMark and the CHH&MH volunteers were outfitted for a brisk and windy morning outside with the community.
Like many volunteers, Michelle Brown is involved with other, similar local organizations. She’s on the board of Paving The Way Project, a series of educational forums and programs centered on violence prevention and building community relations. Though not a Bronzeville resident, Brown attends church in the neighborhood and believes in serving the community in which she worships.
“I see children going to school. What are they eating? Cheetos for breakfast,” Brown said, “that’s not nutritional.”
The distribution not only offers nutritional value, Brown says having healthy food in the pantry sooths the mental anguish of being food insecure that stems from not knowing the what, when or how of the next meal.
Situated kitty-corner to the distribution spot is Boxville, an initiative by Build Bronzeville, an organization whom also had members volunteering. A market like no other, it’s constructed by old shipping containers coated with colorful paint like giant frosted desserts. The space hosts a handful of small, local businesses—including CHH&MH’s pop-up café often used for fundraising.
Sandria Washington is the director of engagement and partnerships for Build Bronzeville and one of the people LeMark credits with taking care of him. She believes events like the food distribution help to bring a conversation about mental health straight into the heart of the community.
Washington said Black people do not often talk about therapy because of a pervasive stigma. “We’ve been taught as a people ‘to go to God’—to just pray on things,” she said.
Historically known as Chicago’s “Black Metropolis,” nearly 87% of Bronzeville residents are Black.
“We’re helping people from the inside out,” Washington said, “that is what will change people’s mindsets.”
A handful of the volunteers said they’ve witnessed a heavy impact in the community. “It’s a long time coming, and people are really embracing it,” said Shera Strange, Bronzeville resident and CHH&MH volunteer.
Through a partnership with 180 Disaster Relief, CHH&MH has secured 2,400 boxes to distribute at a “free farmers market” on Oct. 30 and 31.
“People are eager to get out of a poor mentality, a poor lifestyle,” LeMark said, “We’re not feeding the needy, we’re feeding the eager.”