Cook County Kicks Off Countywide Holiday Food Drive

Food Drive to Benefit Greater Chicago Food Depository

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a countywide Holiday Food Drive today benefitting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

Preckwinkle and the Depository’s Executive Director and CEO Kate Maehr urged Cook County residents to help feed the hungry in our community.

“We have a responsibility to help our neighbors in their time of need,” President Preckwinkle said. “We are working to curb hunger in our community and I am excited to invite our residents to join me in this effort.”

“The Food Depository is thankful for the longtime and steadfast partnership of Cook County in our mission,” Maehr said. “But our daily impact counts on the generosity of many. This food drive is an opportunity to make an impact on hunger across Cook County during this season of giving.” 

According to Feeding America, one in six children in Illinois struggles with hunger. In Cook County, more than 661,000 children, adults and elderly will experience food insecurity this year.  

Preckwinkle and Maehr stressed the ease with which residents can now donate to the Cook County Holiday Food Drive. Donors can visit http://www.myfooddrive.org/#CookCounty2018  and shop for products in a virtual grocery store. All proceeds from the food drive will be used to purchase food for hungry people. The food drive runs through December 31. 

Since 1979, the Food Depository has worked to alleviate hunger throughout Cook County. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 69 million pounds of food, 37 percent of which was fresh produce. Every day they distribute the equivalent of 159,000 meals.

Under the leadership of President Preckwinkle, Cook County Government has worked closely with the Food Depository, launching the Cook County Food Access Task Force together to enhance access to food insecurity screenings, promote access to school breakfast and summer meals at suburban schools and communities and continue to find ways to ensure that everyone throughout the County has access to nutritious meals.