CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) at Malcolm X College to celebrate the 67 community organizations that will receive city grants through a mutual aid initiative designed to expand access to food and support services, while simultaneously countering the effects of the Trump administration’s devastating cuts to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“At a time when families need support the most, the federal government has abandoned its most basic responsibility by dismantling the SNAP program—putting millions of people at risk—and Chicago refuses to accept that,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The organizations we celebrate today embody the spirit of collective responsibility and are essential partners in my administration’s work to strengthen neighborhood-based support systems. We will continue to collaborate with non-profits, food banks, community groups, and faith-based institutions to bring food to the neighborhoods where it is needed most, as we work to protect Chicago residents from the worst effects of Trump’s cuts.”

Developed in collaboration with the GCFD, the mutual aid initiative provides each recipient with a $4,500 grant—representing a total investment of over $300,000—that will enable these organizations to expand their operations while increasing support for vulnerable and underserved populations across Chicago.

“We believe that food is a basic human right and that hunger is an injustice we must end—but we will never achieve that alone,” said Kate Maehr, Executive Director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Collaboration is more critical than ever as need remains high and the federal safety net shrinks. These investments will strengthen the mutual aid networks that meet our neighbors’ basic needs, while expanding access to food for families throughout our city. We thank the City of Chicago for its partnership in this effort and its continued support for community-led solutions.” During the gathering, Mayor Johnson met with leaders of organizations and mutual aid volunteers before participating in a roundtable discussion with providers and volunteers, which explored how grant funds are being utilized, the impacts of SNAP cuts on individual communities, and how the city can better support community organizations as they face reduced federal support.

The grants were awarded in accordance with Mayor Johnson’s November 2025 executive order, which authorized emergency measures to accelerate the allocation of city resources in response to hunger and food insecurity resulting from federal cuts. The funding will complement existing programs administered by the city to address food insecurity. Recipients of the mutual aid microgrants include, but are not limited to:

• Chicago Family Health Center, Inc
• Northwest Side Solidarity Network
• Pilsen Defense & Access
• Milpa Mizan
• Gage Park Latinx Council
• OTIS Fresh LWCA
• The Love fridge Chicago
• Organized Communities Against Deportations
• Chicago Community and Worker’s Rights
• Mother’s and Men Against Senseless Killings
• Star Farm Chicago
• The Thresholds
• Village of Leaders Thriving in Solidarity
• South Suburban Mutual Aid
• Friendship Community Place
• ChiFresh Kitchen, LWCA
• Veggie Mijas – Chicago
• Chicago Food Rescue
• Urban Growers Collective
• Think Outside Da Block
• Grow Greater Englewood
• Shared Kitchen of Cooperative Workers, LWCA
• Plant Chicago
• Life is Work
• Greater Chatham Initiative
• North Lawndale Greenin Committee
• Fresher Together
• Intertwined Hands South Side Alliance (MESA)
• CrossTreats, LWCA
• Living Hope Kingdom Foundation
• Hugs Not Slugs
• Gyrls In The H.O.O.D Foundation
• Imagine Englewood If (IEi)
• Growing Home Inc
• Southside Food Co-op
• First Nations Garden
• Working Family Solidarity
• 19th Ward Mutual Aid
• Healthy Hood Chicago
• Free Root Operation
• Equity Foods Foundation
• Chicago Patchwork Farms
• People’s Panther Party
• Getting Grown Collective
• University Church Chicago
• Austin Coming Together
• Humboldt Park Solidarity Network
• Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
• Cicero Community Farm
• Restored Hope
• Dion’s Chicago Dream
• Ecosystems of care
• Southwest Rapid Response Team
• Street Vendors Association of Chicago
• Chicago United Solidarity Project (CUSP)

Read article in Spanish / Leer artículo en español: https://elchicagohispano.com/anuncian-subvenciones-para-programa-de-alimentos/