Last weekend our Senior Director of Programs, Alison Cohen, sat down with ABC7 News Chicago to talk about five ways we can all have an impact in ending hunger both during the holidays and throughout the year:

1. Power up your Food Drive! Instead of a canned food drive, consider collecting financial contributions to make your dollar go farther and your contribution healthier.

2. Volunteer in October…or February! Many people like to volunteer on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but food banks and soup kitchens need dedicated volunteers and volunteers with specialized skills year-round.

3. Step into the Garden! Volunteer your time and talents or make a donation to a local community garden, co-op, urban agriculture program or farmers’ market.

4. Go Beyond Charity to Social Justice! Food is at the center of the larger fight for justice. Remember that racism and poverty are the root causes of hunger and food insecurity and looks for ways to advocate, support and elevate those struggles!

5. Choose Gifts that Give Back We’ve partnered with Chamilia Jewelry to create a beautiful sterling silver charm engraved with the words “Give thanks.” Each purchase donates $4 to our programs, and is a daily reminder to live a thankfully.

WhyHunger was in the windy city as part of WhyHunger’s Midwest regional gathering, we connected with 14 incredible community-based groups to share best practices, build relationships and strategize around successes and challenges in the fight for food justice from the ground up. To add some real hands on learning to our 2 day gathering, we visiting local innovative grassroots organizations, Growing Home and Growing Power. Supporting organizations like these is a great way to get involved, from helping to weed a garden or donating to job-training programs.