Cook County PHHS seeks feedback on pop-up food pantry pilot

Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) is seeking feedback from people who use the pop-up food pantry in the courthouse lobby.

The pantry is currently operating as a pilot program scheduled to end April 1. PHHS plans to present findings from the pilot to its board later that month.

The program began in response to last year’s federal government shutdown. Continued public use prompted PHHS to extend operations through March.

Public Health and Human Services Director Grace Grinager told WTIP she believes the pantry’s success is due to its accessibility and hours of operation. When the program was extended, PHHS added a survey to better understand how frequently people are using the service.

“There is a survey in the lobby of the courthouse next to the pop-up pantry,” Grinager said. “If you come visit, it’s not required, but we would love to know how often you’re using it and how many people you’re getting food for. It’s just really basic questions. It’s anonymous, and it will help us gauge what the future looks like for this project.”

The pantry is open to the public for both food pickup and donations during courthouse business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grinager said donations are currently lagging behind demand.

“So the pop-up pantry needs more people to donate, because the demand for those resources really is outpacing what we’re seeing come in at this point,” Grinagr told WTIP.

The pantry accepts only nonperishable, shelf-stable items that are not expired. Homemade goods cannot be accepted.

“We also have places to donate household items, like toilet paper, toothbrushes, dish soap,” Grinager said, “that kind of thing that also is just kind of the basic items you need in a household.”

Items are available to anyone in need with no questions asked.

People seeking more information about the pop-up food pantry can contact Kristina Campbell Mattson, Cook County State Health Improvement Partnership coordinator, at Kristina.Mattson@co.cook.mn.us.

WTIP also spoke with Grinager about the pop-up food pantry, the Mobile Crisis Response Program and other topics. Audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke March 2, 2026