Food Insecurity

As the holiday season is now upon us, many families across the country will gather together for holiday parties and dinners.  All of the work that comes with hosting or preparing a holiday event can be very stressful, both physically and financially.  For those less fortunate, however, the holidays only add to a level of stress already felt throughout the entire year. 

A recently released report by the Greater Chicago Food Depository (which can be viewed below) details the percentage of residents living in Chicago and surrounding suburban Cook communities who face food insecurity, which is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as not having ‘access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life’.  While the percentage of residents facing food insecurities in select city neighborhoods is high, many suburban communities are facing just as high if not higher percentages of struggling residents. 

For instance, over 24% of residents living in Chicago Heights and University Park face food insecurities, higher than the overall Cook County percentage of 16%.  In an astonishing figure, the percentage of food insecure residents in Ford Heights is over 55%.  These figures include many children, seniors, and laid-off workers who are finding it difficult to secure stable employment in this recovering economy. 

Numerous volunteer opportunities are available with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a nonprofit that helped feed over 670,000 Cook County residents last year alone.  From packing food and working on a loading dock to making a monetary donation, there are always ways you can help end hunger in your community.  Below are links to both the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well as the Northern Illinois Food Bank. 

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Food Insecurity in Cook County