Opportunity Enterprises recently cut the ribbon on its new Shared Table Food Pantry in Valparaiso.
Opportunity Enterprises and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana partnered to bring the initiative to fruition. The Shared Table Food Pantry will help expand food sourcing.
“When local pantries and organizations unite, we create a network of support that ensures no one in our community faces food insecurity alone,” said Rich Bugajski, Opportunity Enterprises chief business operations officer, in a press release. “By building trust and sharing resources, we strengthen our collective ability to help those in need, lifting each other up, one meal at a time.”
Neil Samahon, Opportunity Enterprises president and CEO, said that the pantry will also function as a career lab to enhance Opportunity Enterprises’ efforts in preparing individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities for the workforce. Participants in the organization’s Career Connections program will gain customer service skills at the pantry. They will also learn about inventory management, point of sale systems and teamwork.
“This is just another partnership that will benefit our community,” Rex Richards, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce president, said.
The Shared Table Food Pantry will be open to the public by appointment only from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Friday. Learn more here.
For nearly 60 years, Valparaiso-based Opportunity Enterprises has worked to create inclusive and equitable opportunities for people of all abilities. Opportunity Enterprises serves over 1,000 people each year.
