SPRING 2021

CHICAGOSFOODBANK.ORG/FFTSPRING

EQUITY GRANTS TO TRANSFORM, OPEN NEW FOOD PANTRIES P. 4–5

NEW BOARD CHAIR SHARES PASSION FOR FOOD JUSTICE BUILDING A P. 3 GIVE BACK ON MLK DAY BETTER FUTURE P. 6

Nilda Vargas volunteers at the Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel food pantry. Her mask was temporarily removed for this photo. (Photo by Mateo Zapata for the Food Depository)

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210522_001.p1.pdf Calendar of Events PERSPECTIVE

Papa John's Fundraiser It’s hard to believe that it’s now been one year since COVID-19 brought our Through March 31, Chicagoland area community—and the world—to a standstill. Papa John’s locations are offering customers 30% off their bill with promo It’s been a year of unimaginable loss and hardship, touching all of us in some code CHIFOOD. With the promo code, way. Through it all, our network of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters has 10% of the total order will be donated to the Food Depository. continued serving hundreds of thousands of people in Cook County who struggle to consistently afford nutritious food. Many of them are facing hunger for the first America’s Shamrock time in their lives. This family-friendly, St. Patrick's Day virtual event allows runners to choose their Throughout this ongoing crisis, the dedication of our donors, volunteers and distance to run or walk anytime between partners has never wavered. We cannot thank you enough for your support. March 12– March 28. Join the Greater Chicago Food Depository team and $10 of your registration will be donated to Unfortunately, we expect this crisis to last for a long time to come. As the the Food Depository. Register at: www. pandemic—and its economic impact—persists, the Food Depository’s response americasshamrockrun.com/anywhereusa/ continues to evolve. Macy’s Bag Hunger Every March, Macy’s hosts a “Bag Hunger” Recently, we announced $2.6 million in equity grants designed to bolster campaign, for which every Macy’s store the emergency food system, primarily in Black and Latino communities on chooses a local food bank to support. Chicago’s South and West Sides. For decades, these communities have been This year, the Macy’s State Street location disproportionately affected by poverty and food insecurity because of systemic is supporting the Food Depository by racial disparities. inviting customers to round up their purchases. Their extra change—up to 99¢— Four new food pantries will open as a result of the funding—vibrant community will be donated. hubs that will connect guests to benefits assistance, nutrition education and employment training. That’s the power of food. Once we take care of the most basic human need, the impact of nutrition ripples out to create opportunities. APRIL Good Friday That kind of transformative change is possible because of you. When you support April 2 the Food Depository, you’re helping to feed families right now. You’re also helping Food Depository closed to build a more just and equitable food system for all.

Because of the grant funding, another 22 existing pantries will be able to improve

MAY and expand operations to serve more people in need. Memorial Day May 31 In this issue’s cover story, you’ll learn about some of our inspiring partners on Food Depository closed the front lines who are taking their food pantry to the next level to serve food, hope and dignity. You’ll also meet Dr. Nicole Scott, the passionate leader of the American Association of Single Parents, who plans to open a new food pantry in the south suburbs. 2021 Commercial Real Estate Awards May 13 This annual event that celebrates “I truly believe lives will be changed,” Scott told us. Chicago's top real estate professionals and raises funds for the Food Depository That is why we do this work together: to transform lives and communities. No child will take place as a hybrid virtual should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. We’re called in event. Find the registration link at this moment to work collectively toward a brighter future. chicagosfoodbank.org/special-events Thank you for your generous and kind-hearted support. Let’s keep building a Greater Chicago during this historic time and beyond.

Connect with us! @FoodDepository

/FoodDepository

@FoodDepository Kate Maehr Executive Director and CEO /FoodDepository

Search Greater Chicago 2 FoodI Food Depository for Thought

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210522_002.p1.pdf NEW BOARD CHAIR LEADS WITH A PASSION FOR FOOD JUSTICE

Monica Moss, the chair of the Greater Chicago Food Depository's board of directors, at one of the Trinity United Church of Christ's pop-up food distributions last spring (photo by Joshua Lott for the Food Depository)

Meet Monica Moss, a passionate food The following conversation has been become more than we ever imagined justice advocate who now leads the edited for length and clarity. that we could. We truly have become Greater Chicago Food Depository’s more than a food bank. We’re helping board of directors. What calls you to this mission of to empower communities. And I think ending hunger? that’s huge. Moss is the first lady at the historic Trinity United Church of Christ in Food is fundamental. Everybody needs What gives me hope is that most Washington Heights, where her food. What I think is unique about the people are good, most people are husband serves as pastor. In May, Food Depository is we don’t just give reasonable, most people want the during the height of the pandemic, food. We try to give people healthy, same things. They want safety. They Trinity partnered with the Food delicious, nutritious food. need resources. Depository to host an emergency pop-up food distribution that served There’s so much that transpires around We’ve always had struggles in this more than 1,000 families each week. cooking food, preparing food and, of nation. It’s never been perfect. There’s course, consuming food together. I always been a group of people, was the beneficiary of that. Sitting primarily African-American people, who "We truly have become down at the table with family, having have had to struggle in a different way. discussions and learning and listening more than a food and being nosy as a kid. That’s a huge And so, I have seen so much beauty bank. We're helping to part of what kind of defines my life come out of that. I’ve seen so much now, the idea of coming together and strength and power come from that. empower communities. sharing a meal. That’s kind of the narrative that I carry And I think that's huge." with me. What gives you hope at this moment —Monica Moss in time, given all the national turmoil This is just a time. It’s not the end of and the challenges here in Chicago? anything. And it really can become the beginning of something if we’re smart Moss is excited for the new food In reference to the Food Depository, enough and compassionate enough pantry opening through the Endeleo I’m very hopeful because I think we’re as people. Institute, the community development seeing something special transpire at arm of Trinity church. the Food Depository as we are looking Read the full Q&A at at how we’re responding to need. chicagosfoodbank.org/blog We are having to push ourselves to

Greater Chicago Food Depository I 3

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210522_003.p1.pdf "LIVES WILL BE CHANGED": GRANTS EXPAND FOOD ACCESS

Nathan Crosby picks out groceries at the Sheldon Heights Food Pantry (photo by Vashon Jordan Jr. for the Food Depository)

To support communities IGLESIA EVANGELICA “People are hungry regardless of how disproportionately affected by the EMANUEL, BELMONT cold it is,” said Pastor Tony Mariscal. COVID-19 crisis, the Food Depository “They’ve still got to eat.” recently provided $2.6 million in CRAGIN grant funding for both existing and The pantry currently feeds triple A recent February morning—the day new partners. the number of households it used after the city’s biggest snowfall in to pre-COVID, averaging about 350 years—the Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel This latest round of grants will households each week. Belmont food pantry didn’t miss a beat. strengthen the emergency food Cragin, a majority Latino neighborhood, system, primarily in Black and Latino has also been one of the areas with the Volunteers came twice the day before, communities on Chicago’s South state’s highest COVID rates. mid-blizzard, to shovel inches of snow and West Sides. Communities of from the sidewalk. On distribution day, color have long faced higher rates of Their grant will go toward new they arrived at 6 a.m. to prepare food poverty and food insecurity because flooring and seating to improve the boxes for the hundreds who would of racial disparities. pantry space once it is able to return still be coming despite the weather. indoors. It will also expand shelf Because of COVID-19, the pantry Four of the grant recipients will space for increased food storage and operates fully outdoors. create entirely new food pantries help purchase a vehicle to grow its that will be designed to be bright booming home delivery service. and welcoming community hubs. The four new partners are the American Association of Single Parents in Dolton; the Endeleo Institute in Washington Heights; the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) in Englewood; and the New Life Centers of Chicagoland in Little Village.

The other 22 grant recipients are existing partners who will use the funds to transform and expand their services.

Here are just a few of the partners’ stories:

A woman receives food from the Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel food pantry, one of the Food Depository's grant recipients (photo by Mateo Zapata for the Food Depository) 4 I Food for Thought

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210522_004.p1.pdf These pantry improvements are just the the reassurance that there’s always beginning of church leadership’s plans somewhere they can go get food,” for the neighborhood. Years ago, they said pantry coordinator Eric Clark. purchased a nearby empty lot with the “And not just food, but quality food.” hope of eventually building a social service hub. They envision providing The pantry, a fixture in Roseland for food, healthcare, childcare and other nearly 30 years—the past five of which outreach to help families thrive. have been in the former restaurant— will be able to make across-the-board “Our vision is that—transforming a improvements with its new grant community,” Mariscal said. funding. In addition to a walk-in freezer for food storage and new signage— AMERICAN ASSOCIATION the old restaurant’s sign still stands next to the building—they also plan OF SINGLE PARENTS, to build a canopy to cover visitors waiting in line outside. DOLTON Volunteer Wonda Hall poses in front of the shelves at the Sheldon Heights Food Nicole Scott knows firsthand the Pantry (photo by Vashon Jordan Jr. for the Food Depository) struggles that come with being a “I truly believe lives will single mom. Nathan Crosby picks out groceries at the Sheldon Heights Food Pantry (photo by Vashon Jordan Jr. for the Food Depository) Scott wants to operate a food pantry be changed. The face Fueled by the experiences of raising “of the future,” modeled after a grocery of individuals who need her son on her own, she’s spent the store where people will select their last 20 years of her life lifting up other groceries and even go through a check- to go to a pantry has one-parent households. out process. She also hopes to have space for guests to learn more about changed because of “I often say that sometimes your misery and sign up for other needed services. COVID, so I think the is your ministry, because out of those life experiences you want to help For Scott, this project is a dream that’s idea of visiting a food others who may be experiencing the been two decades in the making. And pantry will change.” same things,” she said. with COVID-19 driving her neighbors into greater need, it’s one that’s more —Nicole Scott Scott is the founder of the American necessary than ever. Association of Single Parents. Located “They stand there in the rain, the snow, in south suburban Dolton, the “I truly believe lives will be changed,” in the cold, in the heat,” said volunteer organization offers support programs she said. “The face of individuals who leader Wonda Hall. “So we’re trying for families in need, including need to go to a pantry has changed our best to do something to let them emergency food assistance—something because of COVID, so I think the idea know we not only care about giving she needed when her son was young. of visiting a food pantry will change.” you the food. We want to make sure you’re safe, too.” Scott has previously offered monthly SHELDON HEIGHTS food distributions. As a grant recipient, These improvements will not only she will be able to open a fully-fledged CHURCH OF CHRIST, enable them to expand their hours, food pantry. The pantry, called Food ROSELAND but also their profile, and in turn serve for Life, will be open to the entire more people. Clark knows countless community. On the city’s Far South Side, the people pass by and may not realize Sheldon Heights Church of Christ has what they have to offer. transformed an old restaurant building into a community food pantry. “I want to make sure the people driving down Halsted know they can come Each week, about 150 visitors make here and get some food,” he said. their selections from stocked shelves of produce, meat, dry goods and other Learn more about this latest essentials. round of grant funding at chicagosfoodbank.org/news “I think the biggest thing for this community and our clients is just

Nicole Scott, founder of the American Association of Single Parents Greater Chicago Food Depository I 5

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210522_005.p1.pdf Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ helps pack food boxes at the Food Depository Players from Cubs Charities' youth league headquarters for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (photos by Kenneth Johnson for helped pack more than 33,000 meals for the Food Depository) families in need across Cook County

ON MLK DAY, CUBS AND YOUTH PLAYERS GIVE BACK

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, dozens of youth baseball players from Chicago’s South and West Sides answered the call by volunteering to pack food for the hundreds of thousands of people in Cook County facing food insecurity. The Food Depository hosted its second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in partnership with Cubs Charities, the nonprofit arm of the Chicago Cubs.

Together, the young baseball players, family members and coaches packed the equivalent of more than 33,000 meals for families in need. They got a surprise boost from two Chicago Cubs outfielders— and Ian Happ, both generous supporters of the Food Depository and its mission.

“It’s awesome to see everyone from different races and different cultures coming together and just enjoying giving back,” Heyward said. “It’s also awesome to see it because they do it all the time here at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.” Cubs outfielders Ian Happ and Jason Heyward (pictured), along with other Food Depository supporters, joined the youth Check out the full story, more photos and video at chicagosfoodbank.org/blog. players for the MLK Day of Service

6 I Food for Thought

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210522_006.p1.pdf TRIBUNE COLUMNIST TURNS PARTISAN COMPETITION INTO Corporate partners stepped up amid RECORD FOOD DRIVE continuing crisis

Rex Huppke doesn’t shy away from Though this past holiday season today’s polarizing political divide. looked different than any in years past, local companies and Instead, he channels it for good. foundations still found ways to lift up our community. For the past three years, the Chicago Tribune’s left-leaning humor columnist Without the support of our has partnered with the Food Depository corporate partners, the Food for his annual Insult-A-Columnist Holiday Depository would not have Food Drive. The virtual food drive pits been able to distribute a historic Huppke’s liberal supporters against his conservative adversaries, encouraging amount of food to families in participants to donate on behalf of Teams RexRocks or RexStinks. need this past winter.

This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Huppke’s fans—and foes—delivered. The Here are just a few of the 2020 drive was the most successful yet, bringing in a whopping $246,000 to partners who helped us meet help feed families in need. the growing need or found other innovative ways to give back: The Food Depository, a non-partisan organization, has supporters from across • Employees at financial services the political spectrum. Since the start, Huppke’s drives have proven just that, firmMorningstar raised more yielding more than $100,000 in both 2018 and 2019. than $200,000 through a virtual food drive And this holiday season, while serving an unprecedented number of families • Local media company seeking food assistance because of the ongoing pandemic, the Food Depository Terraboost donated hand needed more community support to meet the growing need. sanitation wipes and dispenser systems to be distributed to our “At the end of one of the worst years in food pantry partners American history, a year of quarantines "It reminds me of the • In lieu of its annual holiday and sickness, political upheaval and good in everyone, and party, which was cancelled division?” Huppke said. “I’ll be darned due to COVID, investment bank if people didn’t donate even more. A the capacity we have William Blair made a year-end lot more.” to make substantial donation and helped supply the Food Depository with a Victory Like years past, RexRocks came out on differences in the world Sprayer sanitation system top—with a total of more than $175,000. • In addition to hosting their At nearly $71,000, Team RexStinks still around us." annual holiday fundraising raised nearly what it did last year. —Rex Huppke campaign, Mariano's, Curtis Granderson and his Grand Kids Win or lose, both teams stepped Foundation hosted a pop-up up for their neighbors in need. Together, their donations will help purchase food distribution just before the equivalent of nearly 740,000 meals. Those funds help support the Food Thanksgiving, distributing 1,000 Depository’s hundreds of community partners—food pantries, soup kitchens, grocery packs to families in need. shelters and other similar food assistance programs—across Cook County. Thank you to these partners “It reminds me of the good in everyone, and the capacity we have to make and many more that helped substantial differences in the world around us,” Huppke said about this year’s us this holiday season. To record-breaking results. “And that’s a gift.” learn more about how your company can give back, visit Start or participate in a food drive at myfooddrive.org chicagosfoodbank.org/ corporate-support

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210522_007.p1.pdf Greater Chicago Food Depository 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place Chicago, IL 60632

773-247-FOOD chicagosfoodbank.org bancodealimentoschicago.org

RUN TO END HUNGER

There are still limited spots on the Food Depository’s charity team for the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10. By joining the team, runners will commit to raising funds that support the Food Depository’s mission to end hunger and its root causes. Team members will also receive access to discounted marathon training through the Chicago Area Runners Association.

The marathon is scheduled to take place in person this year. If that changes due to the status of the pandemic, team members will be notifi ed.

For more information or to sign up, visit chicagosfoodbank.org/marathon or contact [email protected].

The Food Depository's Marathon team commits to raising funds for the organization, whether the race is virtual—like it was last year—or in-person

Search Greater Chicago @FoodDepository @FoodDepository CONNECT Food Depository WITH US! /FoodDepository /FoodDepository

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210522_008.p1.pdf