CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Greater Chicago Food Depository 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.
“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,” saidMayor 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,” saidKate 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
CrossTreats, LWCA
Living Hope Kingdom Foundation
Hugs No Slugs
Gyrls In The H.O.O.D Foundation
Imagine Englewood If
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