Our youngest and oldest neighbors continue to be among the most vulnerable to food insecurity. For children and older adults across Cook County, consistent access to nutritious food can mean the difference between going hungry and having the peace of mind that their next meal is assured. The Greater Chicago Food Depository invests in programs designed specifically for these priority populations – helping kids grow strong and seniors age with dignity.
When the school year ends, many families face added financial strain as children lose access to school meals and parents must provide two extra daily meals per child. The Food Depository helps ensure children don’t go hungry by providing meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In fiscal year 2025, we partnered with more than 115 trusted community sites – including libraries, schools and camps – whose dedicated staff and volunteers make it possible to reach children where they learn and play. Together, we provided more than 170,000 summer meals to young neighbors, as well as 244,000 after-school meals during the academic year.
At River Oaks Community Education and Development Corporation in South Holland, those meals are an essential part of summer camp. For 7-year-old Micah Gavin, a hot lunch means more than just a full stomach. “I love playing sports with my friends,” he said. “The food is really good, and it helps me have energy to play and run around.” For many SFSP partners, the meals allow them to invest their limited resources in robust programming to keep children active and engaged in the summer.
For children, these meals bring energy, relief, and opportunity. For older adults, the challenges look different, but the need for reliable access to nutritious food is just as great.
“I love playing sports with my friends. The food is really good, and it helps me have energy to play and run around.”
– Micah Gavin, 7, River Oaks Community Education and Development Corporation summer camp attendee
Many older adults are on fixed incomes and find it difficult to afford or access nutritious groceries. The Food Depository supports older neighbors through multiple programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides a monthly box of healthy food staples to income-qualifying older adults. In fiscal year 2025, we distributed more than 69,000 CSFP boxes to area seniors.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, a federally funded initiative provided through the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with the Food Depository, gives eligible seniors $25 in coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets. In fiscal year 2025, we provided 14,000 coupon booklets valued at nearly $700,000. For seniors on fixed incomes, the program makes it easier to enjoy nutritious produce that might otherwise be out of reach.
Last summer, the Food Depository invited farmers to attend the distribution events, turning them into small pop-up markets. This approach allowed seniors to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables on the spot without having to travel to multiple farmers markets, removing a common barrier for those with limited mobility or transportation. At the same time, farmers benefited by connecting with new customers and increasing sales.
At Chicago’s Southwest Senior Center, Susana and Filiberto Torres said the program makes a meaningful difference. “We are on a fixed income, so any bit of extra is helpful,” Susana said. “We bought tomatoes, peaches, vegetables and broccoli. It was a great help to us.”
For many older adults, food box and coupon distributions also reduce isolation, provide connection to additional social services and create space for friendship and activity.
From children like Gavin to older adults like the Torres’, these targeted programs provide more than food – they provide health, relief and connection. By serving children and seniors, the Food Depository helps ensure that neighbors of all ages are nourished and supported.
