The pandemic is increasing hunger in virtually every community in America. Here are ways you can help feed people, wherever you are.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME FOR GIVING. That has always been the case. And now, in the midst of a pandemic, it has never been more important. Hunger, always a challenge even in this richest of nations, is at levels not seen in decades.
COVID-related job loss is pushing families and individuals to their limits. And school closings have cut access to school meals many children rely on, sometimes the only food they will get on any given day. Seniors, veterans, homeless people are all at risk for hunger. Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, puts the number at 1 in 9 people.
Here in Chicago, the Greater Chicago Food Depository says that hunger is soaring—in fact, in four decades of feeding the community, they have never faced a need so great. The video above shows that they’re meeting the challenge with the help of volunteers, donors and partner organizations. But more help is always needed.
What you can do.
Give locally. For us, that means donations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Cook County’s leading hunger-relief organization. They have the reach, the established infrastructure and the experience to connect those in need with food. They are also focused on ending the root causes of hunger, helping people find paths out of poverty. And now through the end of the year, donations will be doubled by a special matching challenge.
There are numerous other organizations that are helping—and can use your help. Community shelters, food pantries, church groups and others.
Get involved. Find a place you can volunteer. Every year, the ad agency I work for does something we call Regifting, projects to give back to the community in the holiday season. This year, we’re working with a grassroots organization called the Love Fridge, a Chicago-based initiative “created to nourish our communities through mutual aid,” as their website says. They have placed community refrigerators across the city. The fridges, painted by local artists to reflect the communities, “provide neighbors the opportunity to donate food as well as take what they need, ensuring accessible food 24/7.” For this year’s Regifting, our agency has given us money to buy food to help stock some of these fridges on a regular basis. Already, we’re seeing firsthand how our efforts are helping others. Community fridges are popping up in other cities; chances are, you can find one near you.
Find a food bank near you. Feeding America works with food banks and other hunger-relief organizations nationwide. On their website, you can enter your zip code to find a local food bank to support. Or you can find a food bank in another community that has special meaning for you and support them.
We hope you’ve found a way to help others in need here. Please give generously—and often. We are all neighbors.
Really nice post. For a couple of years now we haven’t given Christmas gifts — we and everyone we know has way too much. Instead we add the money we’ve budget for gifts to what we’re already giving to causes we like and support. A lot of food banks this year, plus animal rescue places. BTW, we won’t be around until next year, so happy holidays!
Thanks, John! Happy holidays to you too. A local St. Louis place that is doing great stuff to feed others is the Pat Connolly Tavern in Dogtown. To keep their staff busy and employed during the pandemic, in addition to doing curbside pickup, they’ve created a Nourish the Neighborhood program. They prepare meals for shelters, nursing homes and families in need, which are paid for by pay-it-forward donations from their curbside customers. You can also donate at their website. I can’t say enough about this friendly neighborhood bar with a great kitchen and a big heart.