The Power & Possibility of SNAP

Food is not a privilege. It is a basic human right. The Greater Chicago Food Depository stands in support of a strong Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to feed and nourish our neighbors.

Action Alert: Restore the Safety Net

Safety net programs, such as SNAP and Medicaid, are the most impactful tools to reduce poverty and improve the health of our neighbors. New federal restrictions and requirements for these programs will increase hunger and poverty. Contact your representatives and demand they introduce efforts to roll back these changes and support Illinois families.

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What is SNAP?

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as Food Stamps or EBT/Link in Illinois, is our nation’s largest and most effective hunger-relief program, providing a critical lifeline to millions nationwide and nearly 2 million people in Illinois.

SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.

Why SNAP Matters

One in four households in Chicago and Cook County with children are struggling to put food on the table. Food insecurity and the need for food in Chicago and Cook County remains elevated.

SNAP is designed to respond to need, acting as a cost-effective investment in food security, health and overall well-being of our communities.

Anyone can lose a job, become sick or need to take care of a child or family member. SNAP is there to help people afford the food they need to stay healthy and get back on their feet.

SNAP Supports the Local Economy

While providing a critical safety net for neighbors in need, SNAP also strengthens local economies and supports jobs.

Every dollar spent on SNAP creates $1.50 in economic opportunity for local retailers, food producers and farmers. Locally, SNAP generates $280M/month in local economic activity.

Grocery stores and farmers' markets that accept SNAP, in turn, contribute to local taxes that fund services like schools and health care.

SNAP Facts vs. Fiction

Is SNAP a drain on taxpayers? Do work requirements incentivize people to get jobs? Is the program full of fraud? There is a lot of misinformation out there. Get the facts.

SNAP in Crisis

Congress recently passed a budget bill that includes historic and devastating cuts to SNAP.

The $200 billion cut from SNAP will ripple across entire sectors, affecting families, farmers, grocers, schools, and local governments – and levels of food insecurity in our communities will skyrocket. Food banks like the Greater Chicago Food Depository and our partner network are already stretched thin serving record numbers of guests.

250,000+

Illinoisans are now at risk of losing food access in a few months due to new work reporting requirements.

54+

Work reporting requirements impact older adults over 54, parents with children older than 14, veterans, former foster youth, and people experiencing homelessness.

$ 800 M

The state of Illinois will soon be required to contribute up to annually to keep the SNAP program intact.

Save our SNAP!

The Food Depository stands ready to confront this emergency head-on, but we cannot do so alone. Help us advocate to ensure SNAP keeps working for Illinois neighbors.

Contact Elected Officials

Email or call your General Assembly members today and let them know that the state must step in to support our neighbors. Our Advocacy Action Center makes it easy.

Start a Conversation

Use your platform to raise awareness about SNAP changes and urge federal action to restore the program. Our Advocacy Toolkits offer the latest talking points and materials to make a statement.

Tell Your Story

If you have been supported by SNAP or have seen firsthand how SNAP helps your community, we invite you to work with us to share your story.

Join The Coalition

We are working with a network of Illinois leaders and organizations to help our neighbors navigate changes to their benefits and support statewide funding. Together, we can Save Our SNAP!

Contact Us

Apply for SNAP and Get Help Managing Your Benefits

SNAP remains active and we encourage you to access the benefits you deserve. We're here to help. Our team will answer your questions and walk you through the process for receiving and maintaining SNAP food benefits.

Get Help With Benefits

taking action

What We Advocate For

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

We are experiencing significant federal-level threats on our nutrition safety net programs like SNAP, WIC and school meals. It is more important now than ever before that we collectively advocate to defend and strengthen these lifeline programs, while also advancing impactful policies in Illinois to ensure every neighbor has the food they need to thrive.

When we raise our voices together, we can make lasting change. Join us and become an advocate for your community today.
Learn more about our 2026 legislative priorities

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.

Join us to End Hunger and its Root Causes

We need you to help advocate for policies that protect our community from hunger! We invite our neighbors and community leaders to work with the Food Depository on important policy changes. We offer training and resources. Contact us to learn more about how to lift your voice to end hunger.

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