The city of Chicago is providing $4,500 grants to dozens of local organizations to help address a growing need for food assistance following changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on April 10 that 67 groups have received these microgrants, which are intended to help them scale up their operations and serve more residents experiencing food insecurity.
The funding comes in response to recent federal policy changes. President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill last fall altered SNAP eligibility requirements, resulting in many low-income families losing access to food assistance. As reported by The Hill, this has led Chicago’s food programs to see record-breaking demand. In November, Johnson issued an executive order redirecting city funds toward food banks and other organizations working against hunger.
During the announcement at Malcolm X College, Johnson told grantees: “We are not just investing in services that you provide, but the leadership that you provide and the trust that you have built with residents. You embody the spirit of our collective responsibility — Chicagoans showing up for one another, not as charity, but as a shared goal for our collective humanity and justice.” He added: “And you remind us the path to a more equitable city is built together.”
One recipient of the grant is Life Is Work Resources Center in Austin. The organization focuses on educating and empowering trans and queer people. Maria’h Foster, deputy director of Life Is Work, said they are using the funds “to expand their food pantry,” including giving out supply bags, delivering supplies directly to homes, and providing hot meals daily. Foster said: “We were able to do a rapid response with tailoring additional inventory for food pantry services, and then we were also able to expand volunteerism to meet those requirements.”
Johnson described this initiative as part of a broader effort by Chicagoans “showing up for one another” during challenging times.
