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Chicago’s Food Bank: Programs and food to end hunger

We strive to end hunger by connecting our neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger.

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YOUR THANKSGIVING GIFT GOES TWICE AS FAR!

Give now while your gift will DOUBLE in impact to help ensure every neighbor has nourishing food this Thanksgiving — and HOPE for the future! Thanks to a $50,000 matching challenge from a generous group of Food Depository friends, every $1 you give helps provide 6 meals.

Greater Chicago Food Depository Programs

Find Food Assistance Programs & Other Benefits in Chicago and Cook County

Explore our network of community-based partners and discover our programs to find support and resources that meet your needs.

We’re Always Here to Help

We’re always available to lend a helping hand. If you need help with finding food, finding a job or even finding free diapers, give us a call and we’ll guide you in the right direction.

1 in 5 Chicago Households are Experiencing Food Insecurity

Hunger is what you feel when you don’t have enough to eat. Food insecurity is the set of circumstances that prevent your access to food.

Read our Annual Report for more info

101.4 M
meals provided across all of our food programs during our 2024 fiscal year
2.4 M
household visits to our network of free grocery partners during our 2024 fiscal year
19000
public benefits applications submitted on behalf of our neighbors since 2020
$ 19 M
invested in our network of food pantry and program partners since 2020

Lifting the Voices of Our Neighbors and Their Stories

Hear from your community as we tell stories that inform, uplift and inspire.

Read More Stories

Take Action. Demand Change.

Help Your Neighbors Facing Food Insecurity in Chicago and Cook County

Hunger is a year-round problem that touches every community in Cook County, and every neighborhood in Chicago. Hundreds of thousands of people face hunger every year – yet even one is too many.

Get involved to give back to your community today and make a lasting difference.

Donate money and make a critical impact in the work we do through a one-time gift, monthly donation, tribute gift, stock gift or more.

Donate time. Explore our food bank volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups and sign up to help at our facility or in the community.

Lift your voice to support our advocacy efforts that address the root causes of hunger.

Donate food. Start a fundraiser with friends, family or coworkers and make an immediate difference in our community.

Discover more about food insecurity in Chicago and Cook County and its impact on our community through research on hunger-related issues.

Attend an event, buy Food Depository merch or learn how to support us when you shop and dine.

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Shop Our Store

Show Your Support

Represent your commitment to ending hunger with new merch from the Food Depository 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.

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Join a Team Committed to Ending Hunger

When you join our team at the Food Depository, you’re joining a group of purpose-driven people who understand the impact nutritious food can have on a community. Explore open positions and learn how you can help change the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity.

Since 1979

Ending Hunger in Our Community for Good

Hunger isn’t a logistics issue. It’s a justice issue.

For more than 40 years, we’ve helped provide for those in need. What we’ve learned is that as a community we have the resources to end hunger — but only if we take on hunger’s root causes.

That’s why we’re reimagining what it means to be Chicago’s Food Bank. We’re still here, helping supply and support local food pantries. Yet we’re also investing in the programs and services needed to lift our neighbors out of poverty and move forward into a secure and healthy future.

Our Story

Our mission is to end hunger
Our mission is to end hunger
Our mission is to end hunger

news

Learn How Food Insecurity Affects Our Community

Read the latest news and updates on how we’re working to end hunger and its root causes.

Local Events Making An Impact for Our Chicago and Cook County Neighbors

View our event calendar

FEATURED EVENT

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Advocate

Advocate for Our Community and Help Families Facing Hunger

To end hunger for good, we need strong public policy. At the Greater Chicago Food Depository, we advocate for federal, state and local policies that protect our community from hunger and its root causes, like poverty and racial inequity.

Raise your voice with us and help advance solutions that promote equitable food access.

Learn more about our advocacy efforts

Baby spinach leaves with water droplets.

You Belong to Our Community

Whether you need help finding food today or are ready to lend help to someone else, we’re here to connect, help, and inspire.

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