VALPARAISO, Ind. (WLS) — At first glance, the Shared Table Food Pantry in Valparaiso might seem like your everyday grocery store, bustling with activity and lined with shelves of essentials.

However, this unique pantry, situated within Opportunity Enterprises, serves more than just the community’s food needs; it also acts as a vital training ground.

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“Our mission is twofold: to support Porter County’s community and to equip our clients with essential skills,” explained Rich Bugajski II, Chief Business Operations Officer for Opportunity Enterprises. “We’ve essentially created a mini-supermarket that doubles as a learning lab.”

This innovative space functions as a real-world classroom where individuals with disabilities and special needs receive hands-on training in various aspects of retail work.

“Our clients gain experience in cashiering, bagging, and, importantly, customer service — a critical focus of our teachings,” Bugajski elaborated.

Client Katherine Augustine said the opportunity is about more than just skills.

“It gives me a chance to meet with people and, you know, just be sociable with other people. I love it. I do. I love it,” Augustine said.

Client Claudia Roby has been busy building her cashier and stocking skills, but she also understands her work is helping to provide food for those in need.

“It’s important to me because, you know, so people who don’t have breakfast, lunch and dinner every night, you know, you just sharing your food, just sharing the pantry. They don’t have to pay for it; it’s just free,” Roby said.

Since starting operations in June, the Shared Table Food Pantry has provided meals for 750 individuals and their families. Ultimately, Opportunity Enterprises hopes to create a pool of trained talent for local grocery stores.

“It’s an opportunity for neighbors to help other neighbors,” said Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “It also will also help mitigate some of the, maybe discomfort, others may have in working with someone who lives down the street from them just because they have special needs.”

Bugajski concluded by emphasizing the impact on the clients, saying “It’s all about the encouragement and the possibilities that are endless for our folks that come through the doors who might have otherwise thought, ‘I could never go out into the real world and actually do that job.’”

The Shared Table Food Pantry is open on Fridays. Porter County residents can book an appointment online to receive food.

Help fight hunger and support programs like the Shared Table Food Pantry through the ABC7 Chicago Feed the Love campaign.