Greg Owen-Boger and Dale Ludwig assumed that once the COVID-19 pandemic was over, the relief programs they started through their charitable organization Turpin Cares would no longer be needed.
But that didn’t happen. In fact, Owen-Boger said, more people are using their services now than during the pandemic.
Turpin Cares operates a “free store” that distributes toiletries, personal care items, and household supplies on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church at 110th Place and Longwood Drive in Chicago.
“In 2020, we served an average of 60 households every time our free store was open. In 2023, we are averaging more than 70 households per free store event,” Owen-Boger said.
They also maintain a pantry box stocked with free food items at the Edna White Community Garden at 111th and Esmond streets. That used to be restocked twice per week; now it is being refilled daily.
While they do not solicit testimonials, they receive messages of gratitude, including one from a woman last November.
“As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but think of Turpin Cares,” she wrote. “They are devoted to giving generously, always with a smile and a personal touch of kindness. I am reminded of a quote, ‘You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.’ — John Bunyan. Turpin Cares gives without asking for anything in return. I’m so grateful for the countless gestures of giving.”
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To keep those operations going, Owen-Boger and Ludwig rely on donations to the not-for-profit Turpin Cares.
They’ve come up with innovative and fun ways to attract donors to their cause, including a “Taco and Tarot” evening in April and sale of donated original artwork in June.
Next up is Christmas in July from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Blue Island Beer Company, 13357 Old Western Avenue, Blue Island, where people are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters and holiday accessories. Raffles and games will go on throughout the evening, and those who bring a grocery bag of full-sized toiletries will be entered into a raffle for the door prizes. The food will be provided by D’Masti Catering of Blue Island and entertainment by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. Tickets are $45 at www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-in-july-fundraiser-for-turpin-cares-tickets.
Turpin Cares was formed in 2019, although their efforts to help began five years before, when Owen-Boger and a neighbor distributed hand-knit hats, scarves and gloves on city and suburban street corners.
They work closely with other organizations in the community. When the pandemic began and shelters closed, they helped set up local relief efforts with the 19th Ward Mutual Aid organization.
They collaborated with the Beverly Area Planning Association to set up the free store for toiletries and cleaning supplies. They reported they have conducted 80 free store events and served 980 households since they started in May 2020.
In June 2020, they collaborated with the Beverly Area Arts Alliance to set up the food pantry box, and reported that since then, they have stocked it nearly 300 times with over 22,000 items.
“The number would have been higher, but for the last two school years, the Sutherland Foundation for Education & Enrichment has helped a lot,” said Owen-Boger.
The Foundation is run by parents of students at Sutherland Elementary School, a Chicago Public School.
“During the school year, each grade takes a month, and the classrooms compete against each other to see who can donate the most pantry items. They fill the box every few days. This ‘Pack the Pantry’ project has become an important part of their program for helping students understand the importance of community involvement,” said Owen-Boger.
This past spring, they also installed a storage locker at the Edna White Community Garden that is restocked daily with toiletries, underwear, socks, diapers, baby wipes and similar items.
The storage locker was initially set up to help with relief efforts for the refugees sent to Chicago from Texas who are sleeping on the floor of the police station next door to the Garden, and it was envisioned that the food pantry would mostly serve families.
The students from nearby Morgan Park High School and Esmond Elementary School also make use of the services, which is fine with Turpin Cares.
“Everyone is welcome. We operate the programs without judgment, and we never ask questions about someone’s level of need or where they live. If they are using our services, they need them, and we honor that and their dignity,” Ludwig said.
“In that spirit, we’ve never monitored the pantry box or the locker. Of course, we run into people from time to time, and they are 100% appreciative when we talk with them, including the teenagers,” he said.
Ludwig is the president of Turpin Cares, and the other members of the Board of Directors are Grace Kuikman, Baird Campbell, and Daryce Hoff Nolan. Owen-Boger is the volunteer executive director, and other volunteer staff are Amy Slyfield and Kevin Vogelsang.
While the donations of items are very much appreciated, Turpin Cares prefers monetary donations because they can stretch the money farther than a donor usually can. The volunteers at Turpin Cares have “a good pulse on what is needed at any given point in time” and can shop at tax exempt wholesale prices, Owen-Boger said.
“If people wonder if their donations are doing any good, I’m here to say they are. We provide tiny amounts of comfort where we can. It’s so little that we do, and yet it matters to a lot of people. Thanks for helping us help others,” Owen-Boger said.
Carol Flynn is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.