As the 2024 election approaches, we at the Greater Chicago Food Depository are reminded of just how critical elections are to our mission of ending hunger and building a more equitable society.
Voting isn’t just a civic duty; it’s a powerful tool that shapes the policies that affect access to food, healthcare and opportunity. Unfortunately, many eligible voters face barriers – some feel disconnected from the process, while others are simply unaware of how to engage.
This year, we’re committed to help change that. By encouraging voter participation, we are working toward a future where every person has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Empowering communities through GOTV
Before this election cycle, our Policy and Advocacy team launched a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiative, aimed at helping our neighbors navigate the voting process. This initiative isn’t just about distributing information; it’s about empowering communities.
This election season, the Food Depository mailed out voter information postcards to 631 partners.
Across our network of pantries, we've been distributing voter education materials – covering key registration deadlines, instructions for voting by mail and early voting dates – to help our neighbors understand their rights and responsibilities as voters. While we remain non-partisan, we believe voting is a crucial way to empower individuals and advocate for a better future.
For this election, we’ve engaged the help of volunteers to expand this initiative, connecting more people with the tools they need, from checking their voter registration to finding their polling places.
“It’s crucial for us, as anti-hunger advocates, to ensure that our communities are informed, engaged and ready to make their voices heard,” said Molly Dubow, manager of advocacy at the Food Depository.
“Every vote is an opportunity to influence policies that impact food security and the well-being of neighbors in our community.”
Voices from the community
Maria Perez, 53, was visiting the United Baptist Church pantry in North Lawndale when she saw Food Depository volunteers speaking with people in line about the upcoming election. Perez, who recently gained U.S. citizenship after immigrating from Mexico many years ago, is excited to cast her very first vote. “I want to be a part of choosing who will run this country, and I want to choose the best person for the job,” she said.
Perez is having surgery the day before election day and is worried she won’t recover in time to make it to the polls. In talking with the Food Depository volunteers, she learned about mail-in voting and received a vote-by-mail application.
“It’s my right to vote, and I want to exercise that right,” she said.
Volunteers from the Food Depository are visiting 12 partner sites where they are spreading the word about the election and connecting pantry guests with the resources they need to make their voices heard. They also conducted one-on-one trainings with partners on voter engagement and provided them with materials to share with their pantry guests.
In addition, the Food Depository conducted a training session for partners interested in utilizing their own staff and/or volunteers to engage neighbors about voting. In total, 70 partners signed on to engage neighbors at their pantries, and 631 partners received voter information postcards from the Food Depository.
Tammy Bates and Molly Dubow talk about getting voters informed.
Tammy Bates, 65, frequently attends United Baptist Church and volunteers at the food pantry often. She is a lifelong North Lawndale resident and decided to become an election judge this year so she could help the people in her community cast their votes.
“I care a lot about this neighborhood and the people in it,” said Bates. “I want every resident of this community to be able to represent it, and to be able to vote for the people that will invest in communities like ours.”
Make a plan to vote
If you’re wondering how to vote, it starts with making a plan. Election Day is November 5, and there are plenty of ways to vote early or by mail. Check your registration status, and from there, decide how and when to cast your ballot. The Food Depository’s Get Out the Vote website offers all the information you need.
We also encourage everyone to amplify the importance of voting within their networks. Our social media toolkit makes it easy to spread key deadlines and reminders.
Two Food Depository volunteers hard at work.
As Election Day draws close, we urge everyone to take action. Make a plan to vote, spread the word and help ensure that all voices are heard this November. In the movement to end hunger, every vote counts.
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