Kennedy-King College in Englewood has opened the Statesmen Market, a redesigned and expanded pantry that offers free groceries and household items to students and their families. The new market replaces a previous classroom-sized food pantry on campus and was officially opened Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by officials from City Colleges of Chicago, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Knight Impact Partners, and community leaders.
The Statesmen Market is part of the Food Security for Life initiative launched in 2025 by City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This effort aims to ensure that every student at City Colleges has access to sufficient food while pursuing their education. According to a 2024 survey conducted by City Colleges, half of its students across seven colleges, and 60 percent at Kennedy-King College specifically, reported experiencing food insecurity.
Katonja Webb-Walker, president of Kennedy-King College, said, “The Statesman market reflects a powerful belief that hunger should never stand in the way of education, life goals and career success. Our students come to Kennedy-King with big dreams, and this new, expanded and beautiful marketplace helps ensure every student has the support they need to stay enrolled, focused and thriving.”
Becky Knight, founder and executive chair at Knight Impact Partners, emphasized the importance of eliminating hunger for academic success: “Every human being learns better when they are not hungry or uncertain about where, how and when they are next going to eat. Eliminating that obstacle is transformational, and it allows students and their families to move from need and necessity to next steps and new horizons.”
The expansion of services through the Food Security for Life program is supported by donations as well as funding from Knight Impact Partners. The new 2,500-square-foot space provides free healthy food options as well as snacks and household essentials.
Tiara Davis, a computer science student at Kennedy-King College who also cares for her three children and two brothers after her grandmother’s passing last year, described her reaction upon entering the new market: “This makes us feel seen. It’s one thing to know that the greater Englewood area has plenty of food deserts, but it’s another thing to take action and make a change to try to alleviate that barrier.” She added that having access to free groceries on campus removes one more barrier for students balancing family responsibilities with their studies: “With this market, that excuse is taken away.”
Juan Salgado, chancellor at City Colleges of Chicago, announced plans for similar markets across other City Colleges campuses over the next year or so. He also noted growing concerns about changes in federal nutrition programs impacting Illinois residents’ access to benefits: “This is a statement to you that your needs matter,” Salgado said. “It’s about nourishment, but it’s about making sure that deep down in your spirit, you understand that this institution cares deeply for you and wants nothing but the best and brightest future for you.”
The Statesmen Market will soon operate 40 hours per week with possible additions of weekend or evening hours.
