Chicago Food Depository Rallies to End Hunger

The Greater Chicago Food Depository kicks off its 2012 One City, One Food Drive campaign this month as businesses, organizations and individuals throughout Cook County come together to help feed their neighbors.

One City, One Food Drive launches with a 2012 goal of collecting 1 million meals during a time when the Food Depository and its network of member pantries, soup kitchens and shelters work to meet rising need in the community. 

“Thousands of families in our community wake up every morning unsure if they will have enough food to eat,” said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Hunger is persistent in every Chicago neighborhood and every Cook County suburb. We encourage everyone who can to give at least one food item or one dollar this season to support hunger-relief programs.”

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The food drive runs through Dec. 31 with many special events and hundreds of public donation locations. Donations of shelf-stable food items can be made at select City of Chicago buildings, including City Hall; more than 125 downtown office buildings, including the Aon Center, John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, 100 Chase Bank branches in the city, Whole Foods Market stores and Interpark parking garages.

Upcoming food drive events include the Ogilvie Transportation Center collection on Nov. 20; the Lifetime Turkey Day 5K on Nov. 22; the Boy Scouts of America door-to-door collection on Dec. 8; a collection at the Chicago Bulls Dec. 15 game; and Lyric Opera performances of “Hansel and Gretel.” For a map of public donation locations and a schedule of food drive events, visit the Food Depository’s One City, One Food Drive page at every1can.org.

For the second-consecutive year, the Food Depository is partnering with Chicago advertising agency Young & Rubicam on the “Do it for Chicago” creative effort, which raises awareness of the reality of hunger in our community and calls on Chicagoans to help feed their neighbors in need.

The campaign consists of billboards, transit ads, online and print ads. “Do it for Chicago” can also be seen on food drive donation barrels and bags, branded t-shirts, stickers and buttons worn by volunteers at events throughout the city.

The Food Depository encourages donations of the items most needed by food pantries—cereal, canned chili, canned fruit, canned vegetables, macaroni & cheese, pasta, peanut butter, rice, soup and tuna. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

Editor's Note: This information was provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.