MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY ANNOUNCE MUTUAL AID MICROGRANT PROGRAM, EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY ANNOUNCE MUTUAL AID MICROGRANT PROGRAM, EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

 The grants will expand food access and uplift community-based mutual aid organization while offsetting the harmful impacts of the Trump administration’s deep cuts to federal food assistance.

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) at Malcolm X College to celebrate the 67 community-based organizations being awarded City grants through a mutual aid initiative designed to expand food access and supportive services while counteracting the effects of the Trump administration’s devastating cuts to food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).

"At a time when families need more support, the federal government has abandoned its most basic responsibility by gutting the SNAP program, putting millions of people at risk—Chicago refuses to accept that,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The organizations we have gathered to celebrate today embody the spirit of collective responsibility and are essential partners in my administration’s work to strengthening neighborhood-based support systems. We will continue partnering with nonprofits, food pantries, community groups, and faith institutions to get food into the neighborhoods where it is needed most as we work to insulate Chicagoans from the worst effects of Trump’s cuts.”

Devised in partnership with the GCFD, the mutual aid initiative provides each awardee a $4,500 grant—representing more than $300,000 in total investment—which will empower the organizations to scale up operations while increasing support for vulnerable and underserved populations across Chicago.

“We believe food is a basic human right and hunger is an injustice we must end, but we will never do it alone,” said Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Partnership is more critical than ever, as need remains high and the federal safety net shrinks. These investments will strengthen mutual aid networks that meet the basic needs of our neighbors while expanding food access to families across our city. We thank the City of Chicago for their partnership in this effort and continued support for community-led solutions.”


During the convening, Mayor Johnson met with organizational leaders and mutual aid volunteers before participating in a roundtable discussion with mutual aid providers and volunteers which explored how grant funds are being used, the impacts of SNAP cuts in individual communities, and how the City can better support community organizations as they navigate pullbacks in federal support.

The grants were awarded in accordance with Mayor Johnson’s November 2025 executive order which authorized emergency measures to expedite the direction of City resources to respond to hunger and food insecurity resulting from federal cuts. The funding will supplement existing programs that the City administers to address food insecurity.

Mutual Aid Microgrant Awardees 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
  • Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas, LWCA
  • Plant Chicago
  • Life is Work
  • Greater Chatham Initiative
  • North Lawndale Greenin Committee
  • Fresher Together
  • Manos Entrelazadas South Side Alliance (MESA)
  • CrossTreats, LWCA
  • Living Hope Kingdom Foundation
  • Hugs No 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)


Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Things That You Should Know That Your Agent Knows...