By that point, the Food Depository was co-leading the city of Chicago’s emergency food assistance response in partnership with other community groups. In the early weeks of the pandemic, the Food Depository offered practical guidance and support to its partners to keep the vast majority of the network operational during the crisis.
In the weeks and months that followed, the Food Depository’s response evolved to help feed a growing number of families experiencing food insecurity in Chicago and throughout Cook County. Our network of food pantries and similar programs served an average of 120 percent more people in need when compared to January figures.
By the end of the fiscal year, the Food Depository’s network of partners had distributed the equivalent of more than 77.5 million meals to families in need – the most in organizational history.
We’re so grateful to our donors for helping us to meet the unprecedented need. And we echo the encouraging words of the 44th president to our staff and partners.
“Keep up your faith and your hope and know that you’re doing the kind of work that makes communities stronger and makes the world a better place.”
Former President Barack Obama
In fiscal year 2020, the Food Depository’s network of partners distributed the equivalent of more than 77.5 million meals to our neighbors in need. In Chicago and throughout Cook County, many families experienced food insecurity for the first time due to layoffs, furloughs and other economic disruptions.
The increase in the number of people seeking food assistance has been staggering and heartbreaking.
From the outset of the pandemic, the Food Depository’s benefits outreach team, which connects people to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Medicaid, has seen a dramatic increase in call volume. At times during the pandemic, the number of calls has spiked to more than ten times pre-pandemic levels.
The crisis is very much ongoing. We appreciate your continued support in feeding our neighbors who need help.
