Pregis, a leading manufacturer of innovative protective packaging products, has donated more than 5,000 Penguin Pack insulated box liners to Lakeview Pantry, Chicago’s largest food pantry. The donation enabled thousands of senior citizens, and other homebound individuals, to safely receive packages of healthy, fresh groceries through the Pantry’s Home Delivery program.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Lakeview Pantry has seen unprecedented numbers of low-income residents, vulnerable senior citizens and laid-off workers requesting food assistance. Visitors to the Pantry’s food programs (which include its physical sites, Online Market and Home Delivery program) have increased by 400 percent and its social services programs (including mental health counseling) have risen by 77 percent.

Pregis is committed to providing support in a variety of ways. Through packaging donations, recycling education, and water relief initiatives, the company is able to protect critical goods, preserve the environment and inspire the people and communities it serves.

"It's through partnerships like this one that allow Lakeview Pantry to serve our neighbors in need during this pandemic. Our critical food assistance programs are a lifeline to many residents in the city,” said Lakeview Pantry CEO Kellie O’Connell. “We are very grateful to Pregis for aiding in the fight to end hunger.”

Since mid-March, Lakeview Pantry has increased program hours, opened a temporary site at Wrigley Field, and expanded its Online Market and Home Delivery programs to accommodate the extreme increase in demand.

”’Protecting what matters’ is at the core of everything we do. Our friends at Lakeview Pantry allowed us to bring that core value to life through their inspiring home delivery program,” said, Ryan Wolcott, vice president of ready-to-use products, Pregis. “Supporting a community organization in our own backyard – especially during such challenging times – makes this a truly gratifying moment for everyone involved.”

About Lakeview Pantry

Since 1970, Lakeview Pantry has provided nutritious groceries and essential social services to residents on in Chicago. Its mission is to eliminate hunger in the community by providing food to fill the basic needs of hungry people, by empowering clients to gain independence through social service programs, and by raising awareness of hunger and poverty. On a yearly basis, the Pantry distributes over 2 million meals to residents throughout the city.

About Pregis

Pregis LLC is a customer-driven solutions provider of innovative protective packaging materials, equipment systems and surface protection. As a material neutral company, the company works with its customers to find the right solution to solve their business challenges. Pregis serves a wide variety of consumer and industrial market segments including food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical devices, agricultural, e-commerce, retail, automotive, transportation, furniture, electronics, building, construction and military/aerospace.

Click here for more COVID-19 coverage and how it is affecting the refrigerated and frozen foods industry.