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How We Distribute Food To Chicagoland Food Pantries

Here to support our neighbors in need with resources to end hunger and reduce poverty.

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How We Help Our Chicago and Cook County Neighbors

Distributing food and hope.

We partner with a large network of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and programs to distribute food and resources for any of our neighbors facing hunger.

In addition to providing help to anyone in need, we support and administer programs tailored towards specific populations. Learn more about how we help:

Read about our year-round and seasonal programs that provide support to children, teens and their families.

See how we ensure older adults receive access to the nutrition needed for healthy aging.

Find out how we provide food and support for Cook County veterans who have served our country.

Learn how we partner with community health centers to help patients gain access to nutritious food.

Verenice
Verenice Martinez
New Life Midway donation center director

“Our first week we had a guest leave in tears, filled with joy over the variety of food she could choose from and the respectful way she was served.”

Verenice Martinez
New Life Midway donation center director

A Healthy Community Starts with Food

As many as 1 in 5 Chicago area families face food insecurity. Through innovative programs and services, we’re working to ensure no one goes hungry and to create lasting change for a stronger, shared future.

Together, we can end hunger and its root causes.

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Delivering Food and Hope Across Chicago and Cook County

We distribute food to our network of partners through donations, purchases and federal government programs. Our employees and volunteers provide the essential resources our communities need to thrive.

See how we provide food to pantries and support programs across our community.

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Where Our Food Comes From

The food we distribute is donated, purchased or received through federal government programs. We purchase food in bulk to meet the needs of our community and ensure the availability of nutritious and culturally-relevant options.

Preparing For Distribution

Volunteers help prepare food for distribution. Food is inspected, sorted, repacked and labeled before our fleet of climate-controlled vehicles distributes food safely to food pantries and programs throughout Cook County.

Delivering On Our Mission

Our partners serve food in a variety of ways depending on the needs of their clients. Most food is distributed across soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and mobile food distribution. Many of our partners offer additional services, including mental health, housing assistance, and benefits outreach.

Advancing Solutions That Address The Root Causes of Hunger

In addition to connecting our neighbors with healthy food, we work to address the root causes of hunger—poverty, systemic inequity and structural racism. The Food Depository helps connect people to benefits, provides paid job training and advocates for change. We also strive to bolster the emergency food system by investing in partners across our network.

See How We Distribute Food to Our Neighbors through Community Stories

Hear from your community about the impact of the nutritious food and resources they receive.

Read More Stories

We Can’t End Hunger Alone

Join us in alleviating hunger and reducing poverty in our community.