Welcome to the neighborhood!

Common Pantry is celebrating its newly renovated home at 3908 N. Lincoln Avenue with a concert and dance party at Martyrs’ on June 24. The event is headlined by Things That Fly, an indie rock band that recently released its debut EP and is donating all proceeds to Common Pantry. Things That Fly credits the nonprofit with inspiring the band’s formation twelve years ago.

Common Pantry, the oldest continually operating food pantry in Chicago, will move operations to Lincoln Avenue this summer. The new space will allow Common Pantry to better serve its growing constituency through an efficient layout, full ADA accessibility and expanded cold storage.

The Welcome to the Block Party on June 24 at Martyrs’ will begin at 7:00p and feature:

Things That Fly was formed by Karen Salmon and Heidi Serwer in 2011 after they were asked to perform at Common Pantry’s inaugural fundraiser. The band’s subsequent yearly appearances at the benefit motivated the duo to pursue their shared passion and on May 14, they released their debut, self-titled EP. (Listen here.) All proceeds from the EP will be donated to Common Pantry. http://thingsthatflychicago.com/

Divine Sound is a 15-piece gospel choir led by Mikel Mays, founder of Mays Music School of Excellence and a project manager at Bulley & Andrews. Mikel was a key member of the Common Pantry construction team. https://www.maysmusic.org/

DJ Tanja Buhler has been spinning Chicago house music through residencies at Danny’s, Soho House, Giant Pennywhistle, California Clipper and Hungry Brain. Tanja also heads up the Chicago office of Bounteous, a global digital marketing consultancy that is one of Common Pantry’s new neighbors. https://www.bounteous.com/

All block party ticket proceeds will benefit Common Pantry. “We are grateful to Martyrs’ for hosting and to Things That Fly for headlining, both celebrating this momentous occasion with us,” says O’Conor. “As we all know, music brings people together—as does food. Every day at Common Pantry, we experience the power of food. It nourishes, heals and connects us in beautiful and unexpected ways. We are excited to connect and collaborate with our new neighbors in every possible way.” - Executive Director Margaret O’Connor

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