Transcript Demographics in Chicago

Hunger 101
Learn about hunger and what’s
being done to address it.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Mission: Providing food for hungry people while striving to end
hunger in our community
As Chicago’s food bank – the Greater Chicago Food Depository
is one of more than 200 food banks in America’s Second
Harvest, the nation’s food bank network.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository distributes dry and
perishable food to a network of 600 member agencies in Cook
County (i.e., soup kitchens, pantries, shelters)
In 2007, distributed
more than 40 million
pounds of food.
State of Hunger in Cook County
Hunger is a serious, persistent problem
777,089 individuals in Cook County live in
poverty – 15% of the population
Federal Poverty Level = $20,650 for a family of
four; $10,210 for one
More than 90,000 people each
week rely on food provided
by the Food Depository
Who’s hungry?
The face of hunger may surprise you
Children = 33 % of those served
Senior citizens = 10 %
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Living on social security
Costs = medicine, housing, utilities
Working poor: 39% of
households served
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More people are working in low-wage jobs
No healthcare benefits
• Unexpected medical costs can be devastating
Homeless: 9%
Why is there hunger in America?
Economics – As long as there is poverty, there will be hungry people
Chicago region struggles with a shrinking middle class and a loss of
manufacturing jobs
Unemployment and underemployment
Inflation and rising costs of living far outpace minimum and low
wage increases
Gentrification – as poor neighborhoods revitalize, current residents
can’t afford rising property rates, rents, taxes
Lack of education
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Response to Hunger
Partner with nearly 600 member
agencies (soup kitchens, pantries,
shelters) to feed 500,000 hungry men,
women and children each year.
Kids Cafes - after-school programs to
provide hot meals, tutoring and other
educational programs, serving 422,000
meals yearly.
Chicago’s Community Kitchens is a
12-week culinary training program for
unemployed and underemployed adults.
Senior Box Program addresses the
needs of low-income seniors: 2,500
senior packs are delivered every
month.
Nourish for Knowledge provides
4,600 take-home bags of food each
weekend to schoolchildren in lowincome neighborhoods.
Producemobile & Produce Delivery
delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to
low-income areas.
Public Policy, Research & Advocacy
What can you do to help?
1. Volunteer
2. Donate
3. Advocate
4100 W. Ann Lurie Place
Chicago, IL 60632
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
Phone: 773.247.FOOD
Fax: 773.247.4232