Greater Chicago Food Depository

During the pandemic, Sunny Sohoni had been troubled to learn that many people were having a difficult time affording and accessing food – so she started donating to Feeding America. Soon after, she joined her college alumni group for a volunteer repack session at the Food Depository, drawn by the fact that we’re a member food bank of the Feeding America network.

After that first session, Sunny began volunteering regularly at the Food Depository, enjoying the whole experience. “I meet great people, there’s good energy and fun music, it’s for a good cause and they share the impact you make in real time," she said.

Sangeeta, inspired by her daughter’s passion, joined her daughter for Sunny’s weekly volunteer repack session during a trip to Chicago. “We packed pasta and black beans. Everything operated so smoothly. Everything was done so sincerely. I was very impressed,” she said. “The enormity of the process struck me.” Sangeeta has since volunteered during a couple more visits to her daughter, motivated by the fact that food insecurity is still elevated for so many neighbors.

After seeing our operation firsthand and learning about the high percentage of each donation that directly supports our programming, Sangeeta decided to gift her stocks to the Food Depository, joining her daughter in the movement to end hunger.

When individuals donate appreciated stock like Sangeeta’s, the shares are transferred to a nonprofit, which sells them and uses the proceeds to support their mission. Both mother and daughter say that the main inspiration for their support is the Food Depository’s core belief that food is a basic human right.

“I hope it helps people, because you can’t do anything on an empty stomach,” Sangeeta said of her donation.

To learn more about how you can support the Food Depository, visit our website at https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/.

Kids Day volunteer sessions at the Greater Chicago Food Depository are designed for families or groups with children ages 5-11.

Together, we can properly and efficiently distribute quality food to participating food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Cook County, while teaching younger children about our mission.

Sign up now at http://chicagosfoodbank.org/volunteer.

This week, eligible seniors can receive seasonal produce coupons at the Regional Senior Centers! Each coupon booklet is worth $25 and can be used to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and herbs at participating farmers markets. Local vendors will be present at both distribution events, offering a variety of produce that seniors can purchase using the coupons.

For more information, call the Food Depository at 773-247-3663.