About
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is Chicago's food bank - the first food bank in Illinois - working to end hunger across Chicago and Cook County. Incorporated in 1978 by six founders and distributing food since 1979, the Food Depository today supports a local network of 800 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and programs, connecting neighbors with healthy food while advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 36-2971864) headquartered at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place in Chicago, and a member of the Feeding America network.
Mission
The Food Depository's mission is to end hunger. It works in partnership with community-based organizations and individuals to connect neighbors with healthy food, lift voices in advocacy, and advance solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Its strategic plan for 2030 is summed up as "Three meals. Every neighbor. Every day."
What they do
- Food distribution through a network of 800 partner pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and programs across Chicago and Cook County.
- Food Rescue (established 1986 as the Perishable Food Program), collecting unused but edible food from grocers for distribution.
- Children's nutrition programs, including Kids Cafe after-school hot meals (since 1993), Healthy Kids Markets in schools, and summer meal programs.
- Job training, beginning with Chicago's Community Kitchens culinary program (founded 1998) and expanded to hospitality and supply chain career training.
- Mobile distribution, including the Producemobile farmers market on wheels (since 2001) and the Mobile Pantry Program (since 2007).
- Benefits outreach helping eligible neighbors apply for SNAP/Link, Medicaid, and other benefits, plus specialized pantries for veterans at VA facilities and for college students.
History
In 1978, six founders - Tom O'Connell, Robert W. Strube Sr., Father Philip Marquard, Gertrude Snodgrass, Ann Connor, and Ed Sunshine - incorporated the first food bank in Illinois. Distribution began in 1979 at Robert Strube's produce stall in the South Water Market. The organization moved to a 91,000-square-foot facility in 1984 and in 2004 opened its current 268,000-square-foot warehouse and training center at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place. During the COVID-19 pandemic it served at the forefront of Chicago's emergency food response, and in fiscal year 2021 distributed more than 117 million pounds of food (more than 97.5 million meals), the largest amount in its history. In 2023 it provided more than 20,000 culturally appropriate meals a day for asylum-seeking new arrivals, and in 2024 it completed the Nourish Project, adding a meal preparation kitchen and nutrition education center.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, the Food Depository reported total revenue of $241,580,413 and total expenses of $243,247,145 for the fiscal year ending June 2025, with net assets of $207,865,089. Contributions comprised 95.3 percent of revenue (about $230.2 million). The organization holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, as noted on its website.
Governance
The Food Depository is an independent, non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization. Kate Maehr serves as its chief executive, per compensation data in its Form 990 filings on ProPublica. The organization publishes annual reports and financials on its website.