Please read the full statement on our blog at: Coalition Calls for Expansion of Chicago’s Extreme Weather Response Plan

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of (our volunteers and donors) for their unwavering support in our shared mission to assist our neighbors grappling with homelessness.

Our Chicago community deserves far more than mere tents, and through collaboration with IIT, we embarked on the creation of a temporary structure, commencing construction on March 3.

Regrettably, on March 7 the city issued a stop work order on our structure. Despite our structure meticulously adhering to every guideline for a temporary shelter, we have engaged in numerous dialogues with Alderman Ervin, the Department of Public Affairs, and the Department of Buildings. In the spirit of cooperation, we have chosen to align our efforts with the city's directives.

While it's disheartening that we're compelled to dismantle a structure that could provide essential support, I believe that forging a collaborative path forward is in our collective best interest. Hence, I am committed to revisiting our strategies and exploring alternative avenues to address the urgent needs of our neighbors—prioritizing solutions that are prompt, dignified, and above all, safe. Together, we will navigate this challenge with resilience and compassion.

Affordable housing remains a pressing concern in Chicago, with a glaring lack of options available. It's puzzling why we haven't explored repurposing the numerous vacant buildings, shuttered due to dwindling visits during the pandemic, into low-barrier shelters or transforming them into much-needed affordable housing units. Embracing such initiatives could pave the way for addressing homelessness by prioritizing stable housing alongside comprehensive support services. By offering access to care, mental health treatment, and essential assistance, we can create a pathway towards sustainability and dignity for those in need.

Thank you,
Morgan McLuckie
CEO, The Orange Tent Project

Chicago, IL -- As temperatures plummet in Chicago, The Orange Tent Project, a leading organization dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness, is intensifying its efforts to provide essential support during the harsh winter conditions. This weekend and throughout the upcoming week, the organization is undertaking a comprehensive initiative to deliver hot meals, warm coats, and supplies to those in need.

Jim Meaney, Vice Chair and spokesperson for The Orange Tent Project, states, "Our commitment to our unhoused neighbors remains unwavering, especially during extreme weather conditions. As a community, we recognize the urgency of providing not just warmth and sustenance but also a sense of dignity and care."

The Orange Tent Project's CEO, Morgan McLuckie, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges faced by the homeless community. "This winter, we are determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Our goal is not just survival but also fostering a sense of community and support."

Distribution Details:

Tuesdays: Humboldt Park (Holman and Division Streets) and Chicago (Albany and Division Streets)

Saturdays: Canalport, Tent City (Des Plaines and Roosevelt), Lake and Clinton (leftover distribution)

Meals Provided: Over 70 meals at each Tuesday location, and 100 meals on Saturdays

Every Tuesday, The Orange Tent Project collaborates with ChiCare to source meals from Ghareeb Nawaz, and Every Saturday, they collaborate with The Chicago Help Initiative, further strengthening the network of support for the unhoused population in Chicago.

In addition to direct distribution efforts, The Orange Tent Project is proud to partner with supportive community allies hosting events to raise funds for meal distribution next week. Notable events include "The Give Back" at Blind Barber on January 18, hosted by IB Majekodunmi of the Refine Collective, an Audio Awareness show on January 13, and a special cocktail (and mocktail) of the month at Maple and Ash.

"Our ongoing work is a testament to the power of community support,” Meaney said. “Our work… is not just about surviving the cold; it’s about creating a compassionate and supportive community. We encourage and ask for Chicago’s support in this endeavor."

The Orange Tent Project invites media coverage to shed light on these critical efforts and welcomes increased support from the community. For more information on how to donate or get involved, please visit orangetentproject.org or contact Mary Kate Mack, Orange Tent Project Board Member and spokesperson.

# # #

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mary Kate Mack, Board Member
marykate@orangetentproject.org

Jim Meaney, Vice Chair
jim@orangetentproject.org

November 1, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Robledo, 773-574-2709, andy@feedingpeoplethroughplants.org

Stand in Solidarity with Our Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness on November 3rd

CHICAGO, IL – Feeding People Through Plants (FPTP), a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, today announced that they will stand with Chicago’s homeless living near the intersection of Clinton, Lake, and Milwaukee to oppose the City’s removal of the orange insulated tents on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 9:00 AM CT.

On Tuesday, October 25th, Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) tagged all the newly constructed insulated tents built by FPTP, citing Code 10-27-070, which prohibits the storage of personal property in the public way. This pushback from the city was not a surprise to FPTP and its supporters, given the complaints of luxury high-rise residents to local officials.

“The ordinance the city cites has strong language that is leveraged to justify clean sweeps of life-saving shelters of folks already struggling to survive on the streets,” says Andy Robledo, FPTP’s founder, “I have seen the city take tents without notice, so this is not a cleaning effort by the city. I strongly think it is an effort to erase the homeless problem in an affluent neighborhood.”

FPTP acknowledges that orange insulated tents are not a long-term solution for our neighbors living on the streets of Chicago. But the orange insulated tents are the difference between freezing to death or fighting to survive another day. DFSS invested $35 million to launch the Expedited Housing Initiative in 2020 and has moved more than 1,800 households into housing. But FPTP has several questions: 1) how does DFSS define “households”? 2) what is the actual number of households, based upon the aforementioned definition? 3) why is the number of households hovering around 1,800 when a recent report by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless found that at least 65,000 people were experiencing homelessness in 2020?

FPTP and its supporters will continue to serve and support Chicago’s citizens experiencing homelessness and demand transparency regarding the City of Chicago’s efforts for our homeless neighbors. Furthermore, FPTP demands a revision to the policy regarding tents in the “public way,” at least until such a time as the City’s official plan to end homelessness from 2015 has been updated to reflect the current need, and tangible steps are made to save the lives of our neighbors.

Mayor Lightfoot, FPTP understands you have a long agenda, but does that agenda no longer include standing by your promise to “fight for equity and inclusion for Chicagoans in every ward?” We’re ready for a conversation if you are, and will work alongside you to save the lives of our neighbors.

About Feeding People Through Plants

Feeding People Through Plants is a 501c3 organization that is dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Feeding People Through Plants is a hands-on, relationship first organization that not only provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing and hotel stays to our neighbors experiencing homelessness to ensure people survive, but our organization also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs. Together, we make up a network of people who want to see our neighbors experiencing homelessness have their immediate needs met but also tackle some of the larger life obstacles to try and break the cycle of chronic homelessness. Feeding People Through Plants uses our pla(n)tform and plant sales to support our mission as well as other non-profit organizations in Chicago doing the work to fight homelessness. Through direct intervention, collaborative partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, we make all of this possible. We believe in giving folks a hand up, so they can reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

https://www.feedingpeoplethroughplants.org/

October 25, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Robledo 773-574-2709 andy@feedingpeoplethroughplants.org

Humanizing Our Unhoused Neighbors One Orange Tent at a Time

CHICAGO, IL – Feeding People Through Plants (FPTP), a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, today announced that it led the construction of more than 26 orange insulated fishing tents across the city this weekend. FPTP was able to build these lifesaving tents through the support of more than 12,000 community members who raised more than $15,000 to make this life preserving project a reality. 

“I am blown away at the overwhelming support from the community and businesses. They have enabled us to execute our mission of giving folks the opportunity to survive this winter, as they wait to get the support they need or until their name is called off a housing waiting list. We need to find real solutions to fight the homelessness in our city,” said Andy Robledo, founder of FPTP. “We cannot keep shuffling people around and ignoring the problem, which is why I am disheartened that residents of luxury high-rises near Clinton and Lake are quick to compare our homeless neighbors to rats, instead of opening the dialogue of how to find a long-term solution to the ever-growing homeless problem in our city.” One of the luxury high-rise residents went as far as stating that “If you feed the rats, it will bring more rats.” However, FPTP firmly believes that our homeless neighbors are not rats, rather they are human beings with names that deserve dignity and respect. 

FPTP’s founder and supporters are not discouraged by the demands of luxury high-rise residents or property management companies to do away with the camps in the 42nd ward of Chicago. Rather, they welcome the attention their pleas have received from Alderman Brendan Reilly and the City of Chicago, as part of FPTP’s mission is to highlight that our neighbors living on the streets in these tents need the City’s support towards a clear path to housing. Plus, many residents near Clinton and Lake have expressed that the orange insulated fishing tents are a huge upgrade to what was previously at this location. 

City of Chicago crews are scheduled to seize the orange insulated fishing tents built near Clinton and Lake today, and FPTP founder and supporters ask that there be a dialogue of how to get these folks into housing before they are yet again place into life threatening conditions. 

“Alderman Brendan Reilly and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, we do not want to continuously be challenged by the city as we work to show compassion and support to our neighbors on the street. Please partner with us and help our community help OUR CITY.” 

About Feeding People Through Plants

Feeding People Through Plants is a 501c3 organization that is dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.  Feeding People Through Plants is a hands-on, relationship first organization that not only provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing and hotel stays to our neighbors experiencing homelessness to ensure people survive, but our organization also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs. Together, we make up a network of people who want to see our neighbors experiencing homelessness have their immediate needs met but also tackle some of the larger life obstacles to try and break the cycle of chronic homelessness. Feeding People Through Plants uses our pla(n)tform and plant sales to support our mission as well as other non-profit organizations in Chicago doing the work to fight homelessness. Through direct intervention, collaborative partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, we make all of this possible. We believe in giving folks a hand up, so they can reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

https://www.feedingpeoplethroughplants.org/