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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Chicago using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Meal Helper at Ronald McDonald House
- Organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
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Fight2Feed Chicago Seeking Saturdays Volunteers!
- Organization: FIGHT2FEED A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
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Chicago Volunteer Nonprofit Support Coordinator with LoveJustice
- Organization: LoveJustice
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Volunteers Needed to Rescue Food & Fight Hunger In Chicago!
- Organization: Rescuing Leftover Cuisine Inc
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Food & Hygiene Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: EZRA Multi-Service Center
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Political Affairs Internship
- Organization: The Borgen Project
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Hot Lunch at Providence Soup Kitchen
- Organization: PROVIDENCE SOUP KITCHEN (Daughters of St. Mary of Providence)
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Nourishing Hope - Help distribute food at La Casa Norte's Fresh Market!
- Organization: Nourishing Hope
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Greater Chicago Food Depository FRESH Truck (Noon Shift, Various Locations)
- Organization: Greater Chicago Food Depository
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Grocery Delivery | Support Families Facing Food Insecurity | CFF
- Organization: Care For Friends
- Dates: Oct 10 to Jan 8
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Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: CHATHAM-AVALON MINISTRIES INC
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Share-A-Meal Event (SAM)
- Organization: The Boulevard: The Road to Health and Home
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Cook homemade measl for your neighbors in the Chicago area
- Organization: Lasagna Love
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Food pantry volunteers needed - all shifts
- Organization: friendshipcenterchicago.org
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IVC Seeks Active Seniors for the Chicago Area
- Organization: Ignatian Volunteer Corps
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Rogers Park Food Pantry
- Organization: Care for Real
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Join our team of Home Delivered Meals Drivers!
- Organization: CJE SeniorLife
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Home Delivered Meals Drivers
- Organization: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
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Logistics Volunteer- Outreach Feed 6 - Chicago
- Organization: Hunger Free America
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Chicagoland - IL Food Rescue Opportunity
- Organization: Food Rescue US
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Food Distribution Volunteers
- Organization: ST CYPRIAN FOOD PANTRY
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Food Pantry Volunteers in West Suburban Chicago
- Organization: Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
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Help Us fight Hunger in Chicago
- Organization: Outreach Chicago
- Date: Dec 23
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.