CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) sponsored a food giveaway in Chicago with Imagine Englewood If and Volunteers of America Illinois Friday afternoon.

“We are still in a pandemic, and many people are trying to keep their heads above water, so we like to give back whenever we can,” Hunter said. “So many people are struggling worse than before as they continue to lack food, PPE, and relief from COVID-19.”

From 1-3 p.m., representatives from Senator Hunter’s office gave away masks, hand sanitizer and groceries containing produce and non-perishables to over 150 families.

Imagine Englewood If exists to strengthen and empower the Greater Englewood community through teaching local youth and their families healthy living, environmental awareness, and positive communication skills.
Volunteers of America Illinois is a part of a national nonprofit organization that provides local human service programs and the opportunity for individual and community involvement.

“We’ve been doing food giveaways for a long time now, and I’ve never seen anything this bad,” District Office Chef John McEwen said. “There are so many people in need, at times I ran out of food to give.”

Earlier this month, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the state unemployment rate increased to 7.6%. Feeding America projects that Cook County’s 2020 Food Insecurity Rate will be 15.3%, which rose from the 2018 Overall Food Insecurity Rate of 10.1%.

Hunter’s office is committed to giving out food and PPE whenever they can, for as long as necessary.