Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago

The Greater Chicago Food Depository strives to end hunger in Chicago communities by distributing food every day through its network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and programs. These provide access to nourishment for more than 142,000 people each week, of which more than 1/3 are children and nearly 40% are working families. Volunteers and employees inspect, sort, and repackage all donated food to ensure safety, but they don't stop there. Along with supplying community kitchens and food pantries, the organization provides nutritious meals for children's programs and partners with Chicago Public Schools to distribute fresh produce and other nutritious food at food pantries located in schools. Last year, the Greater Chicago Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of non-perishables, fresh produce, daily products, and meat--the equivalent of 150,000 meals each day to people in need across Cook County.