Rapid-response funding will support Chicago organizations addressing hunger in the wake of federal benefit disruptions, along with United for Chicago, a coalition of business, civic, and faith leaders standing against militarization of the city.
MacArthur today announced $1.5 million in rapid-response funding to address heightened food insecurity across Chicago following the lapse of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown earlier this month.
“This moment calls on us to help our neighbors in Chicago and alleviate hunger where possible. Despite the end of the government shutdown, the uncertainty over SNAP persists,” said MacArthur President John Palfrey. “I encourage others to join in and help meet the essential needs of Chicagoans ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and build upon the collective giving of community foundations who serve local residents.”
“This moment calls on us to help our neighbors in Chicago and alleviate hunger where possible.”
The largest grant, $500,000, will support the Greater Chicago Food Depository with general operating funds to bolster its citywide hunger-relief network. Ten additional community-based organizations operating food pantries, delivery, and related services will receive $100,000 each to meet urgent needs in neighborhoods significantly affected by food insecurity.
Through the Chicago Commitment, our grants will support:
- Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center’s free outpatient behavioral health center includes food pantries, among other services;
- American Indian Center’s Food is Medicine program provides fresh, nutrient-rich Indigenous foods to Native families;
- Austin Coming Together collaborates with partners in Austin to coordinate Austin Eats and other food distribution resources;
- Dion’s Chicago Dream delivers fresh food and produce directly to residents whose access to nutritious sustenance is limited due to socioeconomic barriers;
- Greater Chicago Food Depository works with community-based organizations and individuals to provide access to healthy food and address the root causes of hunger;
- Greater Southwest Development Corporation leads small business support and community development efforts on the Southwest Side and partners with neighborhood pantries to support food access for local residents;
- Inner-City Muslim Action Network’s Food and Wellness Center offers a “client choice” food distribution service;
- Just Roots, a nonprofit farming organization, gives local residents access to fresh, sustainably grown produce;
- New Life Centers provides food to residents of the Chicago metropolitan region via the Pan de Vida food pantry and other food distribution programs;
- Nourishing Hope serves families citywide with nutritious food, mental health support, and social services, delivering food for today and hope for tomorrow to help every neighbor build a more stable future; and
- Pilsen Food Pantry/Figueroa Wu Family Foundation offers fresh food, clothing, and other basic needs.
“The SNAP lapse didn’t just create a gap in benefits—it exposed the gap between intention and impact in how we support families,” said Dion Dawson, Chief Dreamer and CEO of Dion’s Chicago Dream. “MacArthur’s investment helps organizations like ours respond with precision, dignity, and consistency at a moment when Chicagoans cannot afford uncertainty. We’ve learned that food security isn’t about charity—it’s about reliability. This support strengthens a network of leaders who refuse to let policy failures become personal crises, and it moves us closer to a city where stability isn’t the exception, but the standard.”
Although federal SNAP benefits were restored on November 14, the lapse left lasting harm for the 1.9 million Illinoisans who rely on the program for access to nutritious food—particularly children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Nationally, nearly 42 million Americans receive SNAP assistance.
“The delay in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown set families back who were already struggling to make ends meet.”
“The delay in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown set families back who were already struggling to make ends meet,” said Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “We are incredibly grateful for the MacArthur Foundation’s support as we continue to provide additional food to our network of partner food pantries and other programs across Chicago and Cook County. It will take all of us working together to meet the rising demand at this time of unprecedented need.”
“During such challenging times, receiving support from the MacArthur Foundation gives us hope,” said Evelyn Figueroa, MD, Director, Pilsen Food Pantry; Executive Director, Figueroa Wu Family Foundation; and Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago.
In addition, MacArthur will partner with New Life Centers to support their holiday initiatives benefiting struggling businesses and food-insecure individuals.
United for Chicago
The Foundation also announced a $250,000 general operating support gift to Metropolitan Family Services, which is the institutional home of United for Chicago, a new coalition of civic, business, faith, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders calling for unity and an end to the militarization of Chicago’s neighborhoods. United for Chicago is a nonpartisan effort led by Ric Estrada, President and CEO, Metropolitan Family Services; Arne Duncan, Chicago CRED; Lou Sandoval, Founder & Chairman, Halo Advisory Group, Inc.; and Rebecca Shi, CEO, American Business Immigration Coalition.
