Coronavirus In Chicago: Food Bank Uses United Center For Storage

CHICAGO, IL — The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, will be using the United Center as a satellite storage facility in response to the increased need for food during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a news release, storing food in the United Center will alleviate space in the food bank’s warehouse, allowing the Food Depository can bring in more volunteers to their facility to build additional family food boxes in an environment that adheres to social distancing protocols. These food boxes will continue to be distributed to those in need by the Food Depository’s partner network throughout Chicago and Cook County, the news release said.

On Wednesday, the United Center announced the arena and outside campus was being transformed into a logistics hub, assisting with food storage for hunger relief, first responder staging and the collection of critically needed medical supplies.

Related:

• Illinois Coronavirus Update March 31: Cases Top 5,000; 73 Deaths
• Coronavirus In IL: United Center To Serve As Emergency Relief Hub

On Sunday, Project C.U.R.E. hosted a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Drive in Lot F at the United Center. As medical professionals respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis, PPE supplies are in critical shortage and are essential in protecting healthcare providers as they care for patients in need, and Project C.U.R.E. said it's distributing all donations collected at the United Center this past weekend to local healthcare providers across the state.

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"On behalf of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, our athletes, our front offices and our dedicated United Center personnel, our thoughts and support are with the people of this great city and state," the United Center stated, in the news release. "Together, we will get through this."