City of Chicago Feeding and Food Taskforce
Chicago Public Library, Ill.
Innovation Synopsis
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through our city in March, one community need felt particularly acute: food insecurity was leaving thousands of Chicagoans, especially children, without adequate nutrition and healthy meals. The city set an ambitious goal of providing meals and snacks to every citizen in need and CPL stepped up to lead these efforts.
Challenge/Opportunity
COVID-19 has deepened divides along lines of income and race. Due to closures and social distancing, food-insecure individuals faced challenges. Nationally, 1 in 10 Americans are lacking food, and children are some of the most impacted. Chicago’s 700 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters saw a 120% spike in food needs this spring, according to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Leading to this spike was the largest level of unemployment seen since the Great Depression; Chicago’s unemployment rate reached a record high of 19%.
Key Elements of Innovation
With libraries closed to visitors, CPL staff created and managed the Feeding and Food Donations Branch of the Taskforce, developing over 30 corporate, local and private partnerships to help ensure that all Chicagoans had access to food, protective gear, temporary shelter and critical services. CPL streamlined an innovative needs-based assessment to qualify organizations participating in the project. CPL established and staffed the Feeding and Food Hotline to support the city’s main helpline with the influx of calls.
Achieved Outcomes
Over 245,000 meals delivered, and over 10,000 service requests filled. Managed in-kind and cash donations totaling nearly $4 million, including: 114,106 meals for Chicago Public Schools students and families; $80,000 in LYFT/Uber codes to support domestic violence victims, homeless individuals needing to travel to shelters and CHA residents needing to visit doctors or get groceries safely; meals for first responders in partnership with 17 hospitals in under-resourced communities; and complete meals and food boxes for communities.
