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Hunger Beat

The Forgotten Legacy' of Food Depository Co-Founder

Gertrude Snodgrass, second from left, and other volunteers pack food to be given away on Chicago's West Side on Aug. 17, 1979. (Photo courtesy the Chicago Tribune)

In 1979, six community leaders came together to found the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Gertrude Snodgrass, who ran a food pantry out of her Garfield Park home, was the only person of color in that group.

Although little is known about Snodgrass these days, one thing is certain: she had a passion for feeding those in need.

“I don’t think it’s too strong to say that the Food Depository would not have been successful without Gertrude,” David Chandler, the Food Depository’s first executive director, said in a recent Chicago Magazine story honoring Snodgrass’ life and legacy.

Read the Chicago Magazine story by Greg Trotter.

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