Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers Against Senseless Killings (MASK), said on Mar. 18 that the Block Academy in Englewood was broken into and all the food intended for local children and families was stolen. The break-in occurred at the community resource center located at 7500 S. Stewart Ave., which provides daily meals through its Tiny Kitchen Project.
The incident is significant because the Block Academy serves as a vital source of food for neighborhood children, especially as changes to federal assistance programs have left more families without support. Manasseh said the theft comes at a time when demand has increased, with the Tiny Kitchen Project now feeding up to 80 kids a day.
According to Manasseh, a volunteer discovered the burglary Monday morning after noticing an empty freezer and shattered glass at the entry doors. “Someone broke in and cleaned us out,” Manasseh said. “They even took the garlic bread. All they left behind were condiments.” She added that diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, a speaker, and all frozen food were taken.
MASK covers all costs for operating both the Block Academy and Tiny Kitchen Project out of pocket. The organization will need to restock supplies and repair damages from the break-in. Despite these setbacks, Manasseh remains committed: “A lot of people have quit on these kids, but we won’t be added to that number,” she said. “We won’t be people that failed the kids in the neighborhood. You can’t let bad fortune make you stop.”
Recent changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements have made it harder for some Illinois residents to receive benefits, leading more families to rely on organizations like MASK for meals. The break-in also follows several shootings near the academy in recent weeks, which have disrupted services further.
Manasseh emphasized her belief that someone outside of their immediate community committed the burglary: “People in the neighborhood respect what we do,” she said. After hearing about the incident, neighbors expressed anger over what happened.
Despite challenges from violence and thefts in Englewood, Manasseh plans to reopen Block Academy and resume meal service by Thursday with help from local supporters providing donated food. She concluded: “We can’t quit on these kids because of shootings or [the burglary]. There’s too much at stake. This is the future of these kids we’re talking about. They have to know their lives are important.”
