The lockdown hit Dorene hard.

“It’s been a strain on me,” she says. “It’s been a strain on everyone.”

At 62, Dorene struggles with a number of medical issues, including osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and high blood pressure. She uses a wheelchair and treasures her mobility. For years, her greatest joy has been Grandma-time . . . three-times-a-week trips to see her grandchildren—now 11, 7, and 3.

To protect her health, Dorene realized she would have to isolate herself as much as possible. It was disappointing to only visit with her grandchildren on video chats or phone calls. But having to isolate soon brought another, new reality: Dorene needed food.

Fortunately, your support for the Greater Chicago Food Depository provides food for distribution by the food pantry at Chosen Tabernacle in Bronzeville.

Rev. Sandra Gillespie, known in the neighborhood as Pastor Sandy, has operated the pantry for 14 years—but never like this.

The food pantry used to be something like a supermarket. Now, the volunteers pre-package food in bags to reduce risk.

Still, Chosen Tabernacle is managing to serve some 120 households every week.

Even from behind her mask, Dorene was delighted to come to the Chosen Tabernacle food pantry on a recent Thursday. It was the first time she left her apartment building in weeks.

Pastor Sandy and a volunteer hung bags of food to Dorene’s chair—and off she went.

The food you provided, through your support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, provided Dorene with the food—and hope—she needed to make it through another day.

Please continue to stand with neighbors who are facing hunger by making a gift today. Thank you for your generosity!