News stories, commentaries and media mentions featuring our programs, people and impact
American Crossroads with Samana Sheikh Episode 5 SNAP Shifts and Chicago’s Food Strain
November 20, 2025 | YouTube
How To Help Chicago Food Banks Amid SNAP Freeze
November 8, 2025 | WGN
Food pantry in Ravenswood sees increased demand amid SNAP pause
November 3, 2025 | CBS Chicago
Oktoberfestiversary features Chicago breweries to help feed the hungry
September 28, 2025 | ABC 7
Mayfestiversary Returns For Memorial Day Weekend
May 23, 2025 | WGN Spotlight
Chicago’s Mayfestiversary returns Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2025 | Fox 32
Mayfestiversary to return Memorial Day Weekend, benefitting local food pantry
May 3, 2025 | ABC 7
Lincoln Square Food Pantry Adds New Executive Director At A Critical Time For Nonprofits
Nadia J. Jiménez started in her role at the Lincoln Square nonprofit this month, just as President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession. Read the article.
April 11, 2025 | Block Club Chicago | Alex V. Hernandez
Where the Internet Lives S4E3 | Growing a better food system
October 23, 2024 | Google
12th Annual Oktoberfestiversary
October 9, 2024 | WGN News | Spotlight Chicago
Oktoberfestiversary Returns This Weekend
October 9, 2024 | Fox News | Good Day Chicago
Oktoberfestiversary is a fall celebration of community for a good cause. Watch the clip.
Midday Fix: Preview of The Friendship Center’s “End Hunger Games” Fundraiser
August 1, 2024 | WGN News | Midday Fix | Kristina Miller
The Friendship Center is hosting ‘End Hunger Games’ on August 11th to help meet the need of providing access to fresh food and vital resources to 70,000 neighbors. Watch the clip.
Lincoln Square Food Pantry Launching Fundraiser To Help More Neighbors in Need
June 26, 2024 | Block Club Chicago | Alex V. Hernandez
The Friendship Center will host the End Hunger Games fundraiser in August as it deals with increasing food insecurity on the Northwest Side. Read the full story.
Mayfestiversary returns to North Center this weekend with tons of fanfare
May 21, 2024 | Fox 32 | Roseanne Tellez
Mayfestiversary will take place over two days this weekend in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood. Watch the clip.
8th Annual Mayfestiversary
May 15th, 2024 | Spotlight Chicago with Sarah Jindra and Ji Suk Yi
Two local breweries are coming together to kick off the season with a celebration of community. Mayfestiversary is back for it’s eighth year! It’s a Spring party for everyone to enjoy while also supporting a local food pantry. Justin Block and Kevin Cary join us with the details (video).
Vegan Pizza Pop-Up At Half Acre Will Benefit Friendship Center Food Pantry
February 14, 2024 | Block Club Chicago | Alex V. Hernandez | Crust Fund Pizza uses homemade pizzas to raise money for local social justice groups. This month’s edition offers all-vegan pies. Read more.
NorthShore Community Check-up
August 22, 2022 | What a wonderful video featuring our organization! So thrilled to have Swedish Hospital and NorthShore University HealthSystem by our side as we support our food insecure neighbors together!
Media Mentions
How Food Banks Succeeded and What They Need Now
The New York Times | March 31, 2021
An Upshot analysis of food distribution during COVID-19 prominently featured the Greater Chicago Food Depository and included The Friendship Center in a map depicting the pounds of food distributed to Chicago food pantries (our intake more than quadrupled).
Television Features
The Friendship Center Helps Feed Pets
Fox Chicago Morning News | Aug. 9, 2020
The Friendship Center’s Ross Outten talks about the food pantry’s services helping Chicago families feed their pets and a special fundraiser coinciding with National Dog Day.
Food and More for Several Northside Neighborhoods
WTTW Chicago Tonight | July 8, 2020
The Friendship Center Board Member Melissa Sobota talks about the food pantry during the “In Your Neighborhood” Lincoln Square segment with Amanda Vinicky.
Op-Eds & Commentaries
CPS parents are getting $450 to buy food. For those who can, a plea to pay it forward.
Chicago Tribune | April 26, 2021
Op-ed by Jaime Freedman, a Chicago Public Schools parent and Circle of Help founder
“I’m starving” means true hunger for too many in Chicago
Chicago Tribune | Sept. 10, 2019
Commentary by Ross Outten, The Friendship Center’s former Director of Development.