Greater Chicago Food Depository

This year, we distributed the equivalent of 101 million meals to our neighbors throughout Chicago and Cook County–the most we’ve ever provided in a year. These meals were more than just food. They provided nourishment, dignity, health and connection. As needs continued to rise, your support ensured that our neighbors, especially those at increased risk of hunger, had access to the healthy meals, safety net programs and opportunities to thrive. Explore the power of these meals in our new FY2024 Annual Report. Access our latest financials and read stories about the impact we made together. 90% of every donation goes directly to our mission-driven program services. On behalf of all of us at the Food Depository and all the people we serve, thank you. Read our full Annual Report at https://bit.ly/3ZezdVF.

Show your support! Represent your commitment to ending hunger with new merch from the Food Depository's store. Find exclusive designs to wear at your next volunteer day or to help spread the word about food insecurity in Chicago. Net proceeds support our mission of ending hunger in our community. Designed by Char Davidson, the owner of Small and Mighty Creative located in Wicker Park, Chicago. Small and Mighty specializes in working with nonprofits and small businesses to create beautiful and effective visual goodies. Hosted by Bonfire.

Whether it’s rebuilding from a devastating fire or battling extreme weather, Chicago has a rich history of overcoming the odds. We know that our mission to end hunger is ambitious, but it’s not impossible. Much less for a city that thrives on big ambitions. As we enter the?season of giving, we ask you to join us in making our vision of a hunger-free Chicago a reality. Our city’s strength lies in our unity. Let’s make sure every Chicagoan has the meals they need to thrive. There are a number of ways to take action:?donate today?for immediate impact, make a?plan to volunteer,?start a?food drive?or simply?share our message. Together, we'll write a new future.

Join our city's commercial real estate firms to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the industry at the 37th Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards on Wednesday, April 23! ? This fun-filled evening, presented by Associated Bank, features networking, a cocktail reception, award ceremony and more – and proceeds benefit the Food Depository! ? Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/3RrDNuv ? Thank you to our Sponsors & Steering Committee: Presenting Sponsor: Associated Bank Media Sponsor: Crain's Chicago Business Cocktail Reception Sponsor:?Clayco VIP Reception Sponsor: Ventas, Inc. Venue Sponsor: Blue Star Properties Valet Sponsor: Link Logistics Nomination & Digital Program Book Sponsor:?Polsinelli Event Chair: Josie Peacock Event Vice-Chair: Sheila Sipes

Carmen Moorer, the youth services manager at the Chicago Heights Public Library, saw a growing need for food among the children in the afterschool program. Nearly all the students were arriving hungry, so she began buying food for them out of her own pocket, knowing it wasn't sustainable. Eventually, she found the Food Depository and partnered with us to provide daily meals and snacks for the students. The Chicago Heights Public Library program is one of over 50 afterschool programs for which the Food Depository provides meals and snacks. These programs not only help children develop social and emotional skills but they also provide peace of mind for working parents and students. The food provided helps balance the high cost of food and bridges the gap between meals for families. To read more about after-school programs and how they positively impact households, visit https://bit.ly/3VcyvpB. #EndHungerNow

On #VeteransDay and all year round, the Food Depository is committed to connecting veterans with the food and resources they need to thrive. We do this by distributing food at VA pantries and veterans’ events, as well as helping veterans apply for benefits. One event that the Food Depository regularly participates in is the Chicago Stand Down. We work in partnership with the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center to provide veterans with access to goods and services. At the most recent Stand Down event, 20 volunteers attended and distributed a full truckload of canned foods, shelf-stable goods, snacks and fresh produce for the veterans to take home. Additionally, a representative from our benefits outreach team shared information with veterans about the benefits they’re eligible to receive and our partner food pantries in their area. The Food Depository is grateful for the service of veterans and deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve veterans alongside our community partners.

Happy Diwali to our celebrating supporters, partners and neighbors! Diwali is a widely celebrated holiday — observed by many religions including Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism — that has no single origin story. While the historical narratives surrounding this celebration vary, they all ultimately celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. During this five-day period, people celebrate by visiting their family and friends, decorating their homes, eating traditional Diwali foods such as karajani and samosas, exchanging gifts and lighting earthen lamps. To see how you can celebrate Diwali in Chicago, visit https://bit.ly/3UzubjM. The Food Depository and our partner network proudly embrace and honor all traditions that help create a greater Chicago. Together, we are greater.

This month, 65 runners ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to take hunger off the table for our community. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, we were able to beat our marathon fundraising record with more than $130,000 raised to #EndHungerNow! We are grateful for their support and would like to congratulate them on completing the marathon! Pictured: Michael Iberkleid with his Chicago Marathon medal

Every year, volunteers from the Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank travel to Jim Origer's family farm. There, they harvest a few acres of sweet corn that Jim plants specifically to donate. This donation is a part of his Growing Initiative, which helps put fresh, seasonal produce in the hands of our neighbors in need. By the end of this year's sweet corn harvest, volunteers had packed 32,525 pounds of sweet corn – enough to provide the equivalent of around 27,104 meals – into Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank trucks. From there, the corn was transported to our warehouse, where more volunteers sorted and repacked it into family-sized servings and it was delivered to our partner food pantries throughout Chicago and Cook Country. To read more about the corn harvest, visit: https://bit.ly/3NIVjZB. #EndHungerNow

Today, Food Depository CEO Kate Maehr and Chief Philanthropy Officer Jill Zimmerman (she, her, hers) were honored at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago Chapter Philanthropy Awards. The Special Award from AFP recognizes Kate and Jill's achievements in engaging supporters in our mission to end hunger.