The Food Depository and its partners help make the holidays merry

The holiday season is a time to be thankful and to celebrate friends and family. For too many Chicagoans, the stress of not being able to afford food for their families threatens to overshadow this joyous time of year.

In Uptown, Maggie knows everyone, and everyone knows Maggie. Around the neighborhood, Maggie greets old friends—some of whom she’s known since she was a child—and reminisces about the old days.

Maggie has fallen on hard times and turns to Cornerstone Community Outreach, a member agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. During the agency’s weekly food distribution Maggie is able to get the nutritious food she needs but cannot afford.

The day before Thanksgiving, Cornerstone Community Outreach held a special distribution and Maggie received a Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings.

“This is my first turkey—I’m real nervous,” Maggie said. “I don’t want to mess it up. I’ve never really had to cook [one] before, but I’m excited to go home and see what I can do.”

Throughout Cook County the Food Depository’s 650 member food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters helped to put a festive Thanksgiving meal on the tables of men, women and children in our community.

For Maggie, every day is Thanksgiving. She may face personal obstacles, but she also is grateful for the kindness she receives.

“I just feel so blessed and I know something good is going to happen.”

To help the Food Depository and its network provide healthy food to Chicagoans during the holidays and year-round, please give what you can. Whether a dollar, a can of food, or an hour of volunteer time—because of you, someone will eat today. Learn more at chicagosfoodbank.org.