The ARK

There is no question we are living through an unprecedented and unsettling time, and the only way to get through this is together. 

For the most vulnerable among us, times are incredibly tough. Our office hears every day from people who have lost their jobs in connection to COVID-19, people who need food brought to their home to avoid potentially life threatening exposure, people who are shutting down their businesses to protect the public health, and people who are putting their health on the line at work every day to help others. 

Through these difficulties, accessing food has becoming increasingly difficult; for those who face financial burdens and for those who are home bound. Our community is fortunate to have a network of dedicated non-profits committed to feeding all those in need. 

Food pantries in our community have seen an incredible uptick in need, some seeing 10x their usual number of clients over the last few weeks.

They have dramatically increased their capacity to order, pack, and distribute food, toiletries, and more in mere days, all the while implementing critical and difficult safety practices to protect clients and volunteers. 

Staff are working day and night to keep up with need.

In order to keep up with this need, we're asking you to join us in donating to keep their doors open and food flowing to those who need it most. They will not be able to stock and provide food without our help.

Every donation counts, whether you have $15, $50, $100, $250, or $500 to spare. We are proud to kick off this drive with a donation.

Donations will be split among organizations listed below that are feeding neighbors in and around the 8th District: 

Niles Township Food Pantry
Maine Township Food Pantry
Northfield Township Food Pantry
ICNA Relief - Chicago
The Salvation Army Mayfair Corp of Community Food Pantry
City of Niles Family Services
Care for Real
Howard Area Community Center
A Just Harvest
Common Pantry
Northwest Church of Christ
Seventh-day Adventist Church Chicago
Edgebrook Lutheran Church
The Ark
Chicago Chesed Fund Food Pantry, Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago, Bikur Cholim of Chicago, Agudath Israel of Illinois, Chicago Center for Torah & Chesed, Chicago Mitzvah Campaign


Over the last weeks, we've witnessed the incredible support offered by our communities - folks delivering food and supplies to the most vulnerable in our society, patronizing our small businesses by buying gift cards as well as utilizing delivery and carry out options, finding ways to support those on the front lines: healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, and more, and following difficult guidance to keep one another safe. 

Now, we ask you to continue supporting one another by donating what you can to ensure we all have enough to eat every day.

All our best,

State Senator Ram Villivalam
State Senator Heather Steans
State Senator Laura Fine
State Senator Sara Feigeholtz
State Representative John D'Amico
State Representative Kelly Cassidy
State Representative Mark "Yehiel" Kalish
State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Commissioner Larry Suffredin
Commissioner Bridget Degnen
Commissioner Scott Britton
Alderman Debra Silverstein
Alderman Samantha Nugent
Alderman Andre Vasquez
Alderman Matt Martin
MWRD Commissioner Josina Morita
Committeeman Laura Murphy
Committeeman Lou Lang
Committeeman Tracy Katz Muhl