Food Insecurity is on the Rise Again. How Chicagoans Are Helping Meet…

Thanksgiving usually calls for filling our stomachs with turkey, mashed potatoes and lots of dessert. But for many, it’s not that simple.

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, one in five households in the Chicago area is facing food insecurity.

Similarly, a national report found that 17 million households were food insecure at some point in 2022, a signal that food insecurity is on the rise.

“While we would all say those results were disappointing and disheartening, it was not surprising,” said Jill Rahman, chief operating officer with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “We have seen the increase in need, and we’ve responded to it, and it is our goal to continue to do that in 2023 as we continue to see the increase in need.”

Rahman said that increase is in part due to the impact of the pandemic, inflation and people losing their jobs.

“Those issues don’t pivot quickly to solutions,” Rahman said. “I would also say we look at where it’s happening….