"Miracles Happen Here" Say Chapel Staff Members

The new community Care center in Grayslake, operated by , is designed to be different. The facility is three times the size it was at its former location in Mundelein, and Chapel staff members and volunteers are eager to see how the new, larger facility will help families in need.

"Since 2008, the face of poverty has changed," said Chapel staff member Rex Minor, referring to people who find themselves dealing with homelessness and poverty for the first time due to job loss.

"Our goal is to stand in the gap," Minor said. "There is such a great need. We are excited to see what God will do here."

Chapel staff member Juli Chaffee warmly welcomed a crowd of people to the community Care center opening last month. The center is located at 25270 W. Highway 60 in Grayslake, in The Stadium of the Grayslake campus of The Chapel.

The Chapel, a church with campuses in Barrington, Grayslake, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, McHenry, Mundelein and Palatine, believes that rediscovering God changes everything. The food pantry is one of the ways the church helps people connect and be inspired.

"Our initial goal was to serve people who needed food or clothes on an emergency basis," said Juli Chaffee. "This started out in a tiny little barn."

From originally serving just 10 to 15 people per week, the center has grown to serve more than 180 people per week. And how they care for the people who come into the food pantry is what sets it apart.

"We treat people with dignity and respect," said Chaffee. "We help them get the food their families need."

The process of building the new 3,100-square-foot cCc facility took nearly eight months and 2,600 hours of volunteer labor, Minor said. The overall project came in under budget, thanks to "people who donated a lot of product and a lot of time."

Jeff Griffin, senior pastor at The Chapel, spoke at the grand opening celebration. "I am so humbly proud of all of you who have made this happen," Griffin said, looking around the gymnasium filled with volunteers and clients. 

He said that while the needs of hungry and homeless families continue to grow, the center provides help by pulling together resources to meet the needs.

"God is taking the humble obedience of a few to feed thousands in need," he said. "Do miracles still happen? Yes, we can see here everyday that they do. Yes, miracles still happen! That is how we are able to feed thousands of people in this place. We pray this is just the beginning."

The community Care center was dedicated to the memory of Gregory James Henry, a 12-year-old boy who died. His parents Bob and Mary Henry of McHenry donated funds from their son's memorial to the center.

A partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the center relies on private donations like the Henry's, as well as corporate donations.

Chaffee thanked several local businesses including Medline, Starbucks, Mariano's and Trader Joe's for donating items. She thanked Baxter employees for their support.

"Everything here has been donated," said Chaffee. "God is at work here."

For more information, to donate or volunteer, email Juli Chaffee at jchaffee@chapel.org.

Read more:

• Grayslake Community Care Center Opens To Serve Those In Need

• "I Never Thought I'd Be Here"