Pope Francis’ visit is reminding us to take care of the poor and needy in our society. He truly is a Pope of the people.
His visit reminded me it was time to donate to my favorite charity. So two days ago I wrote a check and mailed it to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The Food Depository currently has a special offer; any donation they receive before September 30th, is automatically doubled, up to donations of $25,000.00. My donation was only $50.00 but it got doubled to $100.00, so that made me feel good.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository serves communities in Cook County, suburbs as well as Chicago proper. What I like about it is that more than 350 food companies, grocers and produce markets donate product to the organization. That’s great business support. The Food Depository is associated with food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the county. They also have special programs for children and seniors. For locations where there is no pantry nearby, they have trucks bring fresh produce and other food goods there.
A couple of years ago I was walking through a neighborhood where one of their trucks was distributing food. There was a line over a block long, waiting patiently for food. The people in the line looked like you and me. I’m not rich, but I certainly feel good when I contribute and think of those grateful people patiently waiting for food for their families.
You can mail a check to Greater Chicago Food Depository, P.O. Box 6949, Chicago, Illinois, 60680-6949. They also accept credit card donations. Their website is www.chicagofoodbank.org . May God bless all people who help feed the hungry.
Spirit Walking Journal 
Sep 23, 2015 @ 10:24:03
Thank you for your contribution. I always wonder with these charities if 100% of the donations are used for the purpose created rather than paying the salaries of all the CEOs etc who administrate. Which is why I give to the missions. I know the donations support people in other countries who are poorer than our poor. And also supports the missionaries. There is such a need for clean water and vaccines.
Sep 25, 2015 @ 11:14:06
I know what you mean. However I believe this is one of those well run organizations.
Sep 23, 2015 @ 10:24:09
Don’t forget that there is a large “Campbell Soup” container in the lobby of the Oak Lawn library where you can leave canned or boxed goods all year round to feed the hungry. We pass it by all the time, and soon it becomes just a part of the background. But with some conscious thought, we could all grab a few cans or boxes of food and make a small donation with every visit.
Sep 25, 2015 @ 11:13:09
Thanks for the reminder, Evelyn.
Oct 13, 2015 @ 15:13:52
not all people who go to food pantries are desperate. and when I was a kid, and my Mom and I had really hard times, there weren’t really any food pantries.. There was Salvation Army. Some people know how to work the system to get free stuff, which is sad. The St Benedict church in Blue Island has a nice food pantry. Jewel foods used to donate a lot of food, including meat that was about to be past the “”sell by”” date to St Benedicts. I think people that donate are very kind and hopefully karma will be knocking on their door.