By Corey McPherrin, Good Day Chicago Co-Anchor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
FOX Chicago News teaming up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help fight hunger all year long.
While food drives are popular during the holiday season, hunger knows no season and we can all help those in need.
A relatively new, but very successful program fights hunger this summer with their lunch buses.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Lunch Bus program hands out free lunch to hungry kids five days a week - kids who may be missing out on a guaranteed meal that they receive when school is in session.
Since school is out for summer, a staggering one-in-five Cook County children are food insecure: unaware of when or where their next meal is coming from. The lunch buses roll in to help.
"We have seven sites total and we stay for 20 minutes," volunteer Dalila Ramos said. "Yesterday we were able to feed 175 kids."
Ramos said it feels awesome to know she can help make sure these kids stay nourished.
The Lunch Bus program consists of three buses that make a combined 21 stops, five days a week. They're in Englewood on Monday.
The program launched in 2010, and it's grown each year. This summer they'll deliver over 34,000 free lunches.
"The nice thing is the kids are so mannerly and so thankful when they receive it too," volunteer Terry Johnson said. "So it's a good feeling to give it to them."
The traveling food show continues from Englewood to Bronzeville, at the Wabash YMCA. The lunch bus transports dozens of nutritious meals to be handed out to kids in need.
"It's great to see the kids every day," Ramos said. "Usually the same kids come out to every site. So I get to know the kids a little bit. It's been great. [It's just a] great opportunity to just be in the community and be able to give back."
Friday, December 14 2012 9:14 AM EST2012-12-14 14:14:40 GMT
Gethsemane Church of God and Christ in Englewood has a food pantry run by Reverend Dion and Debra McCarthy. They work with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which has a special food drive going on now.
Gethsemane Church of God and Christ in Englewood has a food pantry run by Reverend Dion and Debra McCarthy. They work with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which has a special food drive going on now.
Monday, October 8 2012 10:17 AM EDT2012-10-08 14:17:59 GMT
A Roscoe Village pantry has been serving the community for nearly a half century. The Common Pantry is also one of the first pantries to partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
A Roscoe Village pantry has been serving the community for nearly a half century. The Common Pantry is also one of the first pantries to partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Monday, September 3 2012 9:55 AM EDT2012-09-03 13:55:19 GMT
FOX Chicago News is teamed up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help fight hunger. One local company showed its very special relationship with the food depository Monday.
FOX Chicago News is teamed up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help fight hunger. One local company showed its very special relationship with the food depository Monday.
Thursday, July 26 2012 9:24 AM EDT2012-07-26 13:24:43 GMT
FOX Chicago is proud to support the efforts to fight hunger in our community. So we've teamed up with the Chicago Bears this year to collect non-perishable food donations.
FOX Chicago is proud to support the efforts to fight hunger in our community. So we've teamed up with the Chicago Bears this year to collect non-perishable food donations on behalf of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Monday, July 2 2012 9:53 AM EDT2012-07-02 13:53:42 GMT
The Chicago Food Depository's Lunch Bus program hands out free lunch to hungry kids five days a week, who may be missing out on a guaranteed meal that they receive when school is in session.
The Chicago Food Depository's Lunch Bus program hands out free lunch to hungry kids five days a week, who may be missing out on a guaranteed meal that they receive when school is in session.
FOX Chicago News explored how an Italian immigrant family's idea from over a half century ago is helping the fight against hunger today, and set the record straight on one of the world's most famous jingles.
FOX Chicago News explored how an Italian immigrant family's idea from over a half century ago is helping the fight against hunger today, and set the record straight on one of the world's most famous jingles.
The following statistics are those of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Together they distribute food to 1,222 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
The following statistics are those of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Together they distribute food to 1,222 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:01:11 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
