Governor Quinn Encourages People Across Illinois to Help Someone in Need This Thanksgiving

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today visited the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help volunteers prepare holiday meals and emphasize the importance of supporting Illinois’ food banks this holiday season and throughout the year. The state’s eight food banks help provide nutritious meals and food to families in need. According to Feeding Illinois, there are currently more than 1.9 million people across the state who do not have access to nutritious food.

“No family should ever go hungry in Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “As we spend time with our families this week to give thanks for what we have, I encourage people across Illinois to make a difference by volunteering or donating to their local food bank throughout the year.”

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a not-for-profit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in local communities. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, and meat, the equivalent of 150,000 meals every day. For more information about how to volunteer or donate food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, visit ChicagoFoodBank.org.

Feeding Illinois, the state food bank association, has provided meals to more than 1.4 million people in need. In 2011, the association’s network of 2,000 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters distributed 120 million pounds of food to residents throughout the state. To find out more about hunger in your community or how to help food banks across the state, visit FeedingIllinois.org.

In 2012, Governor Quinn helped launch the “No Kid Hungry” campaign to help end childhood hunger across Illinois by using proven strategies. In 2011, Governor Quinn appointed the first members to the Illinois Commission to End Hunger with the goal of exploring how Illinois can overcome barriers and develop sustainable policies and programs to effectively end hunger in the state. Since 2011, the No Kid Hungry network has helped bring more than 34 million additional meals to kids who need them and created ways to replicate that success throughout the country.

In addition, the Governor today announced a holiday food drive in the James R. Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph St.) in Chicago. Beginning on Nov. 27, there will be a food donation box in the Thompson Center next to the Christmas tree and menorah. All donations at the Thompson Center will go directly to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.