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Take Action

Join Us In Making a Difference

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

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Say “NO” to Summer
Hunger Now!

With school out, children don’t have consistent access to school meals. And their parents are struggling to keep up with high grocery prices, especially since federal benefits have been rolled back. But your help will bring nutritious relief—today and all summer long!

DONATE

Ways to Help

Get Involved in a Variety of Ways

Help comes in many forms. Choose the way best-suited to you — everything helps.

Donate
Donate
Give

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

Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer

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

Advocate
Advocate
Advocate

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

Virtual food drive
Virtual food drive
Start a Virtual Food Drive

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

Apple in hand
Apple in hand
Make a Commercial Food Donation

Manufacturers, growers and retailers can donate products to feed our neighbors facing hunger.

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Learn

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

Additional Ways to Support

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

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

No one should experience hunger. You can help.

77.3 M
meals provided last year — a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic times
1.5 M
households served by our network of free grocery partners in 2021
13000
public benefits applications submitted on behalf of our neighbors since 2020
$ 14 M
invested in our network of food pantry and program partners since 2020
Sherrie Dentley
Sherrie Dentley
Volunteer

“It’s just a very warm feeling you get knowing you’re helping someone.”

“Everyone has their own struggles and challenges, but I don’t want to be so insular and narrow that I can only see what I need to do. There’s things outside myself that need to be done.”

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Sherrie Dentley
Volunteer

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.

Family
For Individuals & Families

See how other neighbors and families give back to the community.
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For Corporations & Organizations

Explore our corporate support and workplace giving back programs.

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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Raletta Ingram
Raletta Ingram
Volunteer and pantry co-manager

“When people leave here with a bag of food, they’re able to hold their head up. That’s a good feeling.”

Raletta Ingram has served at the New Mount Calvary food pantry for more than a decade. “When I go home at the end of the day, I may be tired, but my heart and mind are so rejuvenated.”

SEE HOW RALETTA AND HER PANTRY SERVE THE COMMUNITY

Raletta Ingram
Volunteer and pantry co-manager

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

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Food Pantries & Food Programs

Two pantries bridging language and culture to serve a growing number of Asian guests
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Older Adults

Delivering food – and so much more – to Cook County’s seniors
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Advocacy & Public Policy

Food Depository advocates return to Springfield Lobby Day after COVID hiatus

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.

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Summer Meals

During the summer, children and teens who receive free and reduced-price meals at school often lack access to food and go hungry. Community organizations can fill the gap and provide access to nutritious food in convenient neighborhood sites such as libraries, parks and community centers.
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Kids Cafe

When you host a Kids Cafe, you’ll be providing nutritious meals and enrichment activities that support physical and academic potential among children and teens. If you provide structured enrichment programming after the school day ends, you can apply to provide after-school meals.
Benefits assistance
Benefits Assistance

When more organizations are informed about the SNAP application process and its requirements, more individuals and families can get the assistance they need to access benefits. Call us at 773-843-5416 to schedule a hands-on workshop with our staff to help answer client questions and learn more about SNAP.
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Take Action and Make a Difference Today

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

I want to give back