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Cans of food

Host a Food Drive to End Hunger

Food drives are a great way to unite your company or friends and family to support our community.

Start a Virtual Food Drive

We encourage you to start a virtual food drive to help our neighbors facing hunger. A virtual food drive makes an immediate difference to end hunger in our community. It’s also an easy and fun way to work with your friends, family or colleagues to provide food where it’s needed most!

Traditional Food Drives

If you would like to hold a traditional food drive for the Food Depository, please collect our most needed items. When your food drive is over, please plan to drop off your food donations at one of the sites below.

Basket of food
Greater Chicago Food Depository

4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl.
Chicago, IL 60632

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Deliver donations to bay #10 on the northwest side of the building on Keeler Ave. Call 773-247-3663 if doors are locked.

Orange and grapes
Garvey’s Office Products

7500 N. Caldwell Ave.
Niles, IL 60714

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Call 847-588-1690 with questions.

Food Pantry Near You

You are welcome to drop off your donations at one of our partner food pantries or programs located across Cook County.

Find a food pantry location near you.

Please call the partner site for drop-off hours and availability.

Questions about food drives?

Contact us or call 773-247-3663 if you have questions about starting a virtual food drive or donating our most needed food items.

FAQS

What are the Best Canned Food Items to Donate and Other FAQs

Food drive donations must be:

  • Non-perishable
  • In the original container with the original product label
  • Within the “Use by” or “Best if used by” dates
  • Free of damage, stains or moisture
  • Standard retail food products (we cannot accept homemade food)

PLEASE NOTE: Boxes used to collect and store food must NOT have been used previously to store raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, produce or chemicals. Please store products in a cool, dry and clean area.

The items most needed by our network of 700 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters are:

  • Canned Beans
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Canned Chili
  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Soup
  • Canned Stew
  • Canned Fish

The Food Depository is not able to accept the following types of food donations:

  • Items that have been opened or partially used including cans, bottles and dry goods
  • Products not in their original packaging
  • Products missing ingredient information labels
  • Homemade or home-canned foods
  • Products that have become contaminated
  • Alcoholic beverages or energy drinks of any kind

Additionally, the Food Depository is not able to accept the following types of non-food items, though you may contact your local food pantry to ask if they are currently accepting these items:

  • Pet food
  • Clothing
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toys
  • Toiletries

The Food Depository has created an English and Spanish fillable food drive flyer to help you spread awareness with your friends, family, company and community. The flyer must be downloaded to use the fillable form fields. You may also share our most needed items flyer.

If you would like to use the Food Depository’s logo on any materials you create, please contact us. Materials must be reviewed and approved by the Food Depository before being distributed.

All food donations should be placed in taped boxes, not to exceed 40 lbs. We recommend using boxes similar to a copy paper box – 19″ x 15.25″ x 9″.

PLEASE NOTE: Boxes used to collect and store food must NOT have been used previously to store raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, produce or chemicals.

Yes, please. Donated products must be within the “Use by” or “Best if used by dates.”

Unfortunately, we are unable to pick up food donations. Please contact us for additional options or visit Move for Hunger.

Make an Immediate Impact with a Virtual Food Drive

When you raise funds for a virtual food drive, every $1 can help provide 3 meals thanks to the Food Depository’s wholesale purchasing power – doubling or even tripling the amount of food your dollar can purchase at a regular grocery store!