When we told Joanna we wanted to feature one of CKNU’s partner organizations on the CKP blog, she thought immediately of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. But she said: “I don’t think it’s blog worthy, cause my love for the GCFD is a little weird. I know.”

Then she related a story from a recent visit to GCFD. As she was leaving with a “ginormous order” of canned goods, bread, and more, “a woman from another agency, who was clearly on her way out, helped me push the cart to the car and helped me load everything. I of course thanked her and she said, “Oh, you’re welcome honey. Every time I come here I’m helping people out. Just the thing to do around here.”

GCFD love doesn’t sound so weird to me.

CKNU is part of the network of 600 nonprofits that benefit from GCFD’s assistance. According to their website, last year, the Food Depository distributed more than 46 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of more than 95,000 meals every day.

The GCFD also has a Chicago Community Kitchens Program, much like the one at DC Central Kitchen, CKP’s parent organization. (Speaking of the Culinary Job Training program at DCCK, they just launched their very own blog, which we’re plugging because it makes for some inspirational reading.)

But like much about CKP it’s not about the numbers or the programs or even the food, it’s about the people.

Joanna says: “They are extremely helpful and seem to enjoy what they are doing. Seriously, I mean everyone is having a great day there. Every time I call, the agency representatives are happy to take our food orders, they’re cheerful and if you have questions about the food, like is it frozen or what the expiration date – they’ll actually go look for it to find out for you. The people there remember who you are – it’s like Cheers.”

A place where everyone knows your name? And they’re always glad you came?

If that’s not worthy of this blog, I don’t know what is.

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