Whether they’re repacking produce, sorting food drive donations, loading trucks, driving vans, advocating or raising awareness – volunteers energize our fight against hunger every single day.

That was more evident than ever before in fiscal year 2015 – 2016, as 23,594 individuals volunteered with the Food Depository – breaking the organization’s record for most volunteers in a year.

Our volunteers are second to none. They’re such a vital part of our response to hunger. Their dedication is inspiring and we couldn’t feed our hungry neighbors without them.”

- Jill Zimmerman, Vice President of Development, GCFD

Overall, volunteers donated nearly 100,000 hours last year. Check out some volunteer highlights from the year below:

225,600 POUNDS OF FOOD

More than 225,600 pounds of food rescued from food shows

30,000 POUNDS COLLECTED

Volunteers distributed thousands of food drive bags to commuters at Union Station, Millennium Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center, resulting in nearly 30,000 pounds of food drive donations, which were collected by volunteers the following day.

98,837 lbs CORN & SQUASH

Volunteers rolled their sleeves up and harvested 98,837 pounds of sweet corn and squash from a farm in Marengo. The produce was loaded onto a Food Depository truck and distributed in the community just days later.

FRESH TRUCK LAUNCH

Food Depository volunteers were critical in the launch of the FRESH Truck, helping bag and distribute nutritious produce to food insecure individuals and families at health clinics in Cook County.

STORIES

Meet the people we serve and read their stories