Take a Stand Against Hunger

To end hunger for good, we need strong public policy. Raise your voice and let your elected officials know that you support hunger relief programs.

Advocate

Our Policy Priorities

We advocate for policies that protect individuals and families from hunger.

The Food Depository mobilizes the public to help end hunger. At the federal, state, and local level, our policy priorities include:

Maintaining and strengthening hunger relief programs
Increasing the amount of healthy food that is available and affordable to all
Ensuring that healthy meals are available in schools for children in need

What We’re Advocating For

The Greater Chicago Food Depository firmly believes that we cannot end hunger without addressing the root causes of poverty and racial inequity. We are committed to advancing policy solutions that promote equitable food access and that place nutrition program clients at the center of our work.

Currently, the Food Depository is advocating for the food, funds and flexibility needed to allow Illinois’s emergency food network and state and local agencies to respond effectively to the increased need for food assistance. At the same time, we are also working to advance policy changes that build our state’s food assistance system better than it was before the pandemic by better connecting individuals to food and nutrition programs and supporting equitable food access.

Highlighted Anti-Hunger Legislative Priorities

Learn about a few of our ongoing policy priorities that are working to address hunger and its root causes.

Farm to Food Bank

Farm to Food Bank supports Illinois children, families and farmers.

Breakfast After the Bell

Breakfast After the Bell connects children to healthy breakfasts.

Farm Bill

The Farm Bill supports SNAP and other important nutrition programs.

Learn More About Our Policy Priorities

Read about our specific and actionable policy recommendations at the federal, state and local level that will support both short‐term recovery and long‐term resilience.

Our policy priorities

Take Action to End Hunger. Become a Champion Advocate.

Sign up to receive email updates on important nutrition policy changes affecting our community. You’ll be given the opportunity to take action by contacting your legislator, attending webinars to improve your advocacy knowledge, sharing updates with your network and more.

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STORIES

Read Stories from Our Advocates

a man and woman are smiling at the camera

Advocacy & Public Policy

Food Depository advocates return to Springfield Lobby Day after COVID hiatus

The inaugural Food Equity Ambassador cohort with Food Depository CEO Kate Maehr and members of our Board

Advocacy & Public Policy

Celebrating the first cohort of Food Equity Ambassadors

Advocacy & Public Policy, SNAP and Benefits

Q&A: Policy expert on the gains made in crisis

FEATURED WEBINAR

Farm Bill Policy Priorities

About every 5 years, Congress negotiates to renew a sweeping bundle of legislation known as the farm bill. The farm bill is an extremely important piece of legislation that is set to be renewed in 2023, and will be a critical opportunity to strengthen SNAP and other nutritional programs at the federal level.

Learn from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the St. Louis Area Food Bank about the farm bill priorities for Illinois food banks, and ways you can get involved in advocacy.

Advocacy Webinars

Watch Webinars To Learn More About Advocacy Efforts

Whether you’re just getting started with advocacy or expanding your knowledge, watch our webinars for the latest updates in anti-hunger policy. Learn how to advocate, why it's important to advocate and what policy changes are affecting our Illinois neighbors.

WATCH ADVOCACY WEBINARS

Success Stories

When We Raise Our Voices Together, We Can Make Lasting Change

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.

Read how our advocates helped to advance solutions that address the root causes of hunger and promote equitable food access

Ways to Help

More Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

Start a Virtual Food Drive

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

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.

Become a Champion Advocate

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

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