Our Client Advisory Council (CAC) provides critical feedback to strengthen Beyond Hunger's service to the people of the community.
CAC members utilize their expertise from firsthand experience with our programs to enhance the community's presence in the determination of practices at Beyond Hunger to improve the operations of the organization. Community-based feedback is vital to understanding the individuals and families that participate in our programming.
Our Members
I was born in Chicago in September 1954. I lived in Chicago practically all my life. My mother was born in Mexico and lived in Chicago with her sisters and grandmother. My father was born in Havana, Cuba but I lived in New York as a musician. I went to the US Army in the early 70s. I am retired from the corporate Fortune 500 companies. The last position I held was a burglary investigator. I went to Columbia College for Music, English, and business. I still perform/play and create video performances of music, my specialty is percussion/drums. I still teach music and perform. I am the proud father of two beautiful daughters Kristy and Letty which are in business. Kristy is a chef in New York and Letty a regional manager with BMO bank. I am one of the founding CAC members and enjoy participating in CAC activities for Beyond Hunger.
Ron Mok, CAC Member since November 2022
I became a CAC member because I thought I could help outreach and inform the community of all the wonderful services Beyond Hunger has to offer. Being a CAC member means I can be a voice for other clients. I understand the process and can empathize with their situations. I enjoy talking with clients in-person and informally to get feedback on their needs and wants. The CAC also does surveys to get more formal input on what they would like to see at the food pantry. I have been a volunteer with other community organizations like Sarah’s Inn, an election judge, and other food pantries/soup kitchen in the Chicago area.
Mr. Shanks, Sr., CAC Member since
I have always been an advocate in my community, even before the CAC started. I joined the CAC because I wanted to see if I could help make the pantry better with my input; many people don't know about all the programs Beyond Hunger offers. It's been a journey since it began in 2019, and we continue to make progress. At our meetings, I can listen to other members' input and add my own to help the CAC be more helpful and beneficial for clients. I try to share information with people; I have done this over the course of my participation with the CAC. I like to give information to help people. I am the oldest CAC member and I have been coming to the pantry for about 20 years. Most clients in our community have found Beyond Hunger to be a place of help, kindness, and giving. It is also a comfort.
Rosita Rodriguez
I became a CAC member because I thought I could help outreach and inform the community of all the wonderful services Beyond Hunger has to offer. Being a CAC member means I can be a voice for other clients. I understand the process and can empathize with their situations. I enjoy talking with clients in-person and informally to get feedback on their needs and wants. The CAC also does surveys to get more formal input on what they would like to see at the food pantry. I have been a volunteer with other community organizations like Sarah’s Inn, an election judge, and other food pantries/soup kitchen in the Chicago area.