Grant expands access to fresh fruits and vegetables for more than 13,000 households, strengthening community health and well-being during a time of need.

CHICAGO – December 4, 2025 – Mission94 Firearms Education Center, through TAWANI Foundation, is proud to announce a $44,000 donation to the Shalom Center of Kenosha County. This funding will bolster the Center’s food pantry programs, providing families with increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables at a time when many community programs are facing cuts and food insecurity is on the rise.

“At Mission94, we believe a strong community is built when neighbors support one another,” said Scot Loesch, General Manager of Mission94 Firearms Education Center. “We’re proud to stand alongside the Shalom Center in its work to uplift families across Kenosha County. Through TAWANI Foundation’s support, this donation helps ensure that more households have access to fresh, healthy food—strengthening the well-being of our entire community.”

Shalom Center is a 501(c)3 in Kenosha County serving as the only homeless shelter, largest food pantry, and longest-running nightly meal program. The Center is a community resource that provides housing, food, guidance, and support to individuals and families. Its mission is to serve the community by providing emergency food, shelter, and support in ways that meet immediate needs and respect human dignity.

“The TAWANI Foundation grant will significantly expand our capacity to deliver healthy food to the community,” said Esther Roberts, Shalom Center Executive Director. “With this support, we will distribute at least 60,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables over one year, reaching more than 13,000 households throughout Kenosha County. This investment strengthens our ability to offer consistent, nutritious options that improve health outcomes, reduce food insecurity, and ensure families have the resources they need to thrive.”

Shalom Center began in 1982 as the Interfaith Human Concerns Network, founded by community members dedicated to addressing the needs of their Kenosha neighbors by serving hot meals. After becoming the Shalom Center in 1985, the organization purchased the former Deming School as its headquarters. It added family shelter space in 1986 and launched the Interfaith Network Shelter Program in 1991, offering overnight shelter through local churches. In 2009, Shalom Center opened its food pantry on Sheridan Road, and in 2017, it moved to its current location at 4314 39th Avenue, creating a 24/7 space for its homeless programs and soup kitchen. In 2020, the Shalom Center expanded the building to relocate its food pantry and warehouse, bringing all Shalom Center programs under one roof for the first time in nearly 39 years.

To learn more about TAWANI Foundation grants, visit www.tawanifoundation.org/our-grants. TAWANI Foundation is a private foundation that accepts applications by invitation only. There is no open application period.

Photo: Esther Roberts, Shalom Center Executive Director and Steven Deering, Membership Coordinator at Mission94 Firearms Education Center

Mission94 Firearms Education Center 

Safety, history, discovery are the three foundational pillars that Mission94 Firearms Education Center was built upon. Mission94 strives to deliver a rich experience at a state-of-the-art facility with trainers and staff who are not only passionate about firearms education and training but are deeply committed to promoting safety in a fulfilling environment for all visitors – from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Mission94 offers a variety of classroom and interactive training in a welcoming environment to educate people on a variety of subjects including the history of firearms. https://mission94firearms.com/

About TAWANI Foundation

Founded in 2002 by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), TAWANI Enterprises’ philanthropic organization, TAWANI Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights, education, and environmental initiatives. TAWANI Foundation’s vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding – all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities, and the culture itself. To learn more, visit https://tawanifoundation.org.