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More Than 5,000 Expected for Greater Chicago Food Depository's 24th Annual Hunger Walk on Saturday, June 20, at Montrose Harbor

Posted on: Friday, 19 June 2009, 08:00 CDT

Fundraiser arrives at critical time for pantries, soup kitchens, shelters

CHICAGO, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the Greater Chicago Food Depository:

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090619/DC34956)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040512/CGW059LOGO)

WHO: More than 5,000 supporters of the Greater Chicago Food Depository will join the march against hunger to benefit food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County.

WHAT: A 2.5-mile, noncompetitive walk featuring an array of fun activities for the whole family. Festivities include entertainment by the Jesse White Tumblers, choral groups and more as well as face painting and caricature artists. Hunger Walk participants receive an event T-shirt, goodie bag, beverages and snacks.

WHERE: Montrose Harbor, 4400 North along the lakefront.

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Registration, 8 a.m.; Step-off, 9:30 a.m.; Jesse White Tumblers 10:30 a.m.

WHY: Every week, nearly 90,000 people turn to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and its network of member agencies for food assistance. The current economic crisis and rising unemployment rates have made it more difficult for pantries to keep up with rising demand -- up 35 percent from last year. Most agencies are run entirely by volunteers, and many raise their entire annual operating budget at the walk, which aims to raise more than $350,000.

ABOUT THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 500,000 adults and children in Cook County every year. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 46 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 95,000 meals every day. The Food Depository's programs and services for children, older adults and the unemployed and underemployed address the root causes of hunger. For more information, log onto www.chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

SOURCE Greater Chicago Food Depository

Source: PR Newswire

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