$2k for Greater Chicago Food Depository

Profits from WindyCityRails were donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository this morning. The amount: $2,051.00.

Sarah Tribuzio, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations for GCFD, received the gift and she graciously provided a tour of the facility.

Feeding America
GCFD is an efficiently-run machine against the onslaught of hunger. They are one of the three largest members of Feeding America, the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization.

In short, the Greater Chicago Food Depository feeds a lot of people.

A Few Facts
Interesting (and disturbing) facts learned during the tour:

  • Demand for foodbank services increased 36% in the past year.
  • The GCFD facility was designed to move 80 million pounds of food per year. Last year, they moved 46 million pounds of food.
  • The warehouse turns its inventory eleven times per year.
  • Over 11,000 people volunteer at GCFD every year.

Opportunities for Service
GCFD runs on both money and volunteers. During our tour, we came across a group of people packing food bags as part of a company outing. Some large corporations (with names we all know) hold kick-off events at GCFD. After the meeting, they head to the warehouse to help feed people.

So… an idea for a future ChicagoRuby.org meeting/activity?

Posted by ChicagoRuby.org on Tuesday, September 30, 2008