Glen-Ed Food Pantry Begins Construction on New Facility

A new Glen-Ed pantry building aims to meet rising need.

May 20, 2026 1:49 PM May 20, 2026 6:19 PM

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Glen-Ed Food Pantry Board members break ground on the new building.

EDWARDSVILLE - A crowd gathered at the Glen-Ed Food Pantry for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of their new building.

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On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Glen-Ed Food Pantry officially broke ground on their new facility, located next door to the current site at 125 Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville. The new facility will cost $3 million, raised through donations, and will serve community members in need for many years to come.

“Hunger has been here since the beginning of time, and it's not going away,” said Executive Director Jane Ahasay. “The new pantry building will be more than four walls and a roof. It will be a place where families are treated with dignity and respect. I think that's always what we keep foremost in our mind when we're serving, when volunteers and community partners come together to turn generosity into action.”

The pantry has served households within the bounds of Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 for over 45 years.

Ahasay shared that they are averaging an average of 612 individuals served and nearly 17,500 pounds of food distributed every month so far in 2026. She noted that these numbers are increasing from last year.

Libby Levin, president of the pantry's Board of Directors, recognized each member of the Board and their contributions as well as city council members and representatives from legislators’ offices. She noted that they “still have a way to go” to fund the project, “but the energy hasn’t changed.”

Pam Harrison, the previous Board president, explained that she and Ahasay have worked closely to develop a vision for the pantry. Together, they created Second Chance Thrift Store in the current Glen-Ed Food Pantry building, allowing community members to shop for clothes and other donated items, with all profits going back to the pantry.

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They decided to build the new 9,000-square-foot facility to better serve the community. As the need continues to grow, Harrison, Levin and Ahasay agree that a bigger facility is necessary to house both the pantry and the thrift store.

“Some people probably thought that we were a little crazy, but we believed in this mission. We studied the needs of our community, and we knew we had to think bigger about our future,” Harrison said. “At Glen-Ed Pantry, our mission is simple: working for and with our community to provide food and services with dignity and respect. Today is not just about breaking ground on a building; it’s about breaking ground on the future of how we care for one another in our community.”

Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy recognized the pantry as “an essential blessing for the community.” He expressed his appreciation for the pantry’s work and his continued support for their mission.

“We're so proud as a community to have this resource here and to see it weather the storms for the people that it serves,” he said. “We're proud as a city to support the pantry in their efforts to come to the aid of our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, and many others.”

Pfund Construction will complete the project. Matt Pfund said the company is “honored” to join the pantry’s mission. Reverend Jimmy Spear with First Christian Church blessed the pantry.

Ahasay added that the pantry will roll out its Brown Bag Buddy Program on June 1, 2026, to provide five breakfasts and lunches to school-aged children every week throughout the summer.

She emphasized that the pantry is only able to operate because of donations, and they will need continued support throughout the summer and as construction begins on the new building. To donate, click here.

For more information about Glen-Ed Food Pantry, including how to volunteer, how to donate, or how to receive assistance, visit their official website.