Smiling girl volunteering at a Chicago food pantry.

Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Giving Back to End Hunger

Let’s help our neighbors across Chicago and Cook County – together.

HELP END HUNGER THIS WINTER

Harsh Chicago winter weather means neighbors experiencing hunger are facing impossible choices, like affording heat or groceries. Please don’t wait to give to help ensure no Chicagoan goes hungry this winter.

Ways to Help

With Your Help – Ending Hunger is Possible

Whether you’re giving back by yourself or with your family, you can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and in our communities during this hunger crisis.

Give

Donate and make a critical impact in the work we do with our food assistance programs a one-time gift, monthly donation, tribute gift, stock gift or more.

Volunteer

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

Advocate

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

Start a Virtual Food Drive

Start a virtual food drive 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 Our Work Ending Hunger

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

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

No one should experience hunger. You can help.

101.4 M

meals provided across all of our food assistance programs during our 2024 fiscal year

2.4 M

household visits to our network of free grocery partners during our 2024 fiscal year

25,653

volunteers helped us repack and distribute food to our neighbors during our 2024 fiscal year

$ 18.6 M

invested in small businesses that provide nutritious meals to our neighbors since 2020

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

Youth Volunteer Opportunities In Support Of Local Food Pantries

You’re never too young to become an advocate for change. Children ages 5 to 11 are welcome to become a Greater Chicago food depository volunteer and support our neighbors in Chicago and Cook County.

For Children Ages 5 to 11

Our Kids Day is hosted on one Saturday monthly for families and groups with little ones who want to get involved.

For Children 11 and Older

Volunteers over the age of 11, including youth groups, can join our repack sessions in our warehouse. We ask for one adult chaperone for every 10 youth.

SIGN UP FOR KID-FRIENDLY OPPORTUNITIES

Baby spinach leaves with water droplets.

Get Opportunities to Give Back in Your Inbox

We’ll send you the latest updates on hunger, opportunities to donate time and news about our food donation programs so you can make a bigger impact.

Together We Can Make an Impact

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.

Take action

Explore Other Individual & Family Opportunities to End Food Insecurity

The Food Depository offers a variety of opportunities for you to create lasting change for your community.

Become a Social Ambassador

Receive monthly updates with social posts to share, emails to forward and simple actions to help spread the word online about food insecurity.

Shop Our Store

Shop fun apparel and accessories for yourself, friends and family and support our work ending hunger.

Support Us With Your Purchases

Support our programs and services when you shop or dine by checking out our current partnerships benefiting our mission.

Explore Resources for Families

If you need help, or know someone who does, learn about the food assistance programs and benefit programs that can offer support.

Every Action Helps End Hunger

Your support helps nourish our neighbors in need.

Make a Donation Volunteer