Working at the Food Depository

The Food Depository's greatest asset is its employees. A staff of more than 120 comes to work each day with the goal of striving to end hunger in our community. Our staff has worked so hard and been dedicated to our mission that we were able to distribute a record 58 million pounds in fiscal year 2008-2009.

Staff Programs

Maintained through a direct connection to our mission, employees annually volunteer at a member agency, as well as regularly experience an operations-related role to gain a stronger perspective of their contribution to fighting hunger. Additionally, the Food Depository has many opportunities for you to get involved with fellow staff members and dedicated volunteers on many levels.

Celebrating Our Greatest Asset

The Food Depository acknowledges and rewards employees through quarterly ceremonies where employees are recognized for excellence in support of our mission and goals. Several other events are held throughout the year to celebrate our accomplishments.

Our Mission

"Providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community."

Our mission statement drives everything we do. Every department, from administrative support to warehouse operations, plays a distinct role in helping to provide food for hungry people. Every year, the Food Depository distributes 66 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 135,000 meals every day, for those who need it the most.

Striving to end hunger requires that we collaborate, communicate, advocate and educate. Likewise, we must acknowledge hunger's root causes and strengthen our understanding of the cycles of poverty that prevent our clients from attaining self-sufficiency. It requires that we seek strong, knowledgeable staff members, partners, donors and volunteers who can help us extend our distribution of food into the communities with the greatest unmet need.

In order to achieve these outcomes, the Greater Chicago Food Depository pursues these five core strategies.

Goal 1: Ensure the adequate supply, delivery, and access to healthy food options for all people in need.

Goal 2: Strengthen and encourage community based responses to ending hunger.

Goal 3: Mobilize the public to end hunger.

Goal 4: Establish measurements beyond pounds that reflect our impact.

Goal 5: Invest in people, technology, and infrastructure critical to achieving our mission.