News stories, commentaries and media mentions featuring our programs, people and impact
Mayfestiversary
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
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.