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Join Us In Making a Difference

Everyone can make an impact in the lives of our neighbors and in our communities.

Help Those Facing Hunger

No one should have to choose between buying groceries for their family or paying essential bills. With your support today, they won’t have to. Give now to help put healthy food on the table in homes across Chicago and Cook County!

Take Action. Demand Change.

Lend a Hand to Your Neighbors

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

Explore our 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.

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

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

1 in 4 Chicago Children is Currently At Risk of Food Insecurity

No one should experience hunger. You can help.

76.4 M
meals provided across all of our food programs during our 2023 fiscal year
1.9 M
households served by our network of free grocery partners during our 2023 fiscal year
20457
volunteers helped us repack and distribute food to our neighbors during our 2023 fiscal year
$ 19 M
invested in our network of food pantry and program partners since 2020
Ray, Food Depository donor
Ray
Food Depository donor

“It makes me sad when people don’t have enough to eat or a place to live.”

When 11-year-old Ray saw that his neighbors were experiencing hunger, he grabbed all the money he had – $180 that he had received as Christmas and birthday gifts from family – to donate to the Food Depository. Then he encouraged more people to donate and help, too.

Read about Ray, one of our many inspiring donors helping to create a hunger-free community >

Donate to make a difference

Ray
Food Depository donor

Giving Back Programs

Find Your Best Path for Giving Back

Individuals, families, colleagues, organizations — the people who give back to the community through the Greater Chicago Food Depository differ. Yet, we all share a belief in taking action and making a difference.

Helping Hands and Helpful Hearts Needed

Anyone can give back to our community. Every steadfast supporter helps make a difference as we seek not only to meet our neighbors’ immediate needs, but to end hunger for good.

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Get Opportunities to Give Back in Your Inbox

We’ll send you the latest updates on hunger, giving back opportunities and news about our programs so you can make a bigger impact.

Advocate

One of the Best Ways to Give is With Your Voice

Giving back can mean looking forward to a shared future.

Sign a petition. Contact your legislator. Raise your voice to make a larger impact on the root causes of hunger.

With a focus on anti-hunger, public health and anti-poverty policies, our team understands the intersections of food insecurity, nutrition and health and collaborates with our coalition partners to advance solutions that promote equitable food access and take on the root causes of hunger.

Find out how to advocate

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Wendy Daniels, director of food services at Breakthrough Urban Ministries
Wendy Daniels
director of food services at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

“I get to do this work. I get to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

As an advocate and food equity ambassador, Wendy Daniels of Breakthrough Urban Ministries helps educate government officials about the need in her community.

You can also help advocate for change.

Become an advocate

Wendy Daniels
director of food services at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Stories

Take Action by Engaging with Community Stories

Hear from your neighbors to find out how hunger affects our communities and how we can join together to change the world starting right here in Chicago.

View more stories

Nourish The Future Of Our Communities

Community organizations can help ensure no one goes hungry by partnering with us to host programs that give children and families the nutrition and resources they need to learn, grow and play.

Take Action and Make a Difference Today

Volunteer for one day. Sign a petition. Make a donation. Making change starts with you.