HOPE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Where there is HOPE, there is a way.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, ESDC has partnered with companies and community organizations to distribute prepackaged fresh produce and non-perishable goods to hundreds of families in Chicago and other neighborhoods through its mobile emergency free food distribution program, Food For Hope. It’s way more than providing food or meals for the next few days or a week or two. It’s about giving so much more — like hope. Food and hope to thousands of individuals and families in need throughout Chicago and beyond.
ESDC, partners, and volunteers have packaged and distributed more than 70,000 of emergency food boxes and bags in communities such as Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, West Side, Chicago Lawn, South Chicago, East Side, Blue Island, Robbins, Des Plaines and others.
Thanks to safe, healthy and culturally food items donated by local grocers and distributors, we have been able to secure and give away large amounts of produce and food below retail cost. Making it possible all the coordination is RADIUS Chicago for lending their 55,000 sq. ft. space as a temporary warehouse to operate the safe handling, receiving, storage and distribution of food.
With serious challenges in high and low-income neighborhoods alike, a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in communities of color, loss of income, and demand from food banks and pantries, it’s our chance to make a difference. In uncertain times like these, the efforts and dedication of businesses and community support come readily together for those in need. You too can also be part of this cause.
Your generous one-time or recurring donation creates a source of funding to help provide food to families experiencing food insecurity and the economic impacts taking place at this time. Help us continue to bring Food For Hope program to many more neighborhoods and communities. A 100% of the proceeds through this page will be used to purchase food and operate distribution. ESDC is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax-exempt.
For corporate donations or volunteer opportunities, please contact Alex Esparza at (312) 733-2287 or email at info@esdcchicago.org.
Ruben Saavedra, Jessica Vercellino, Isela Maradiaga, Thomas Vercellino,Lilia Colunga, Mary Wozniak, Maclovia Saavedra, Daniel Cole, Patricia Resendiz, Reynaldo Chavez, Carlos Chavez, Hector Chavez, Ivette Contreras, Blanca Pacheco, Cesar Santoy, Emmanuel Chavez, Librado Chavez, Veronica Casanova, Deon Croston, Tkeyah Chatfield, Vanessa Franco, Silvia Vaca, Matthew Gordon, Tony Rosa, Lucia Soto, Samantha Vercellino, Joe Koehneke, Sean Sirkin, Julie Heyduk, Mary Bremer, Garrett Hahn, Makaya McCraven, Joanna Barrios, Elba Acevedo, Florinda DeHoyos, Antonio R. Guillen, Caroline Boccarosse, Gabriel Castro, Elvia Solis, Ivan Villalobos, Gabriel Castro, Zach Nagle, and Andres Reyes!
Are you wondering what you can whip up with the produce you found in your food box? It is important to keep our immune systems strong to stay healthy. These tasty recipes call for immune boosting fruits and veggies and will surely be enjoyed by you and your family!
GREEN BELL PEPPERS – Bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially vitamin C and various carotenoids. Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. It’s involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the proper functioning of the immune system and wound healing.
Stuffed Bell Peppers – Dinner at the Zoo
CELERY – this stalky vegetable is a great source of fiber. It has vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like potassium and folate and helps keep your heart healthy.
Braised Celery With Lentils and Garlic Recipe | Epicurious
KALE – this leafy green has vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese it contains. One cup of raw kale has just 33 calories and only 7 grams of carbohydrate. So, it’s a very diabetes-friendly/weight-friendly vegetable.
Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale Recipe | EatingWell
Do your children like chips? Switch over to this healthier version of their favorite crunchy treats using kale instead of potatoes:
No Fail Sea Salt and Garlic Kale Chips – The Busy Baker
GARLIC – It has great immune system boosting properties. Garlic is widely recognized for its ability to fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even parasites.
Garlic Ginger Soup – Healthyish Foods
Garlic Chicken Recipe – Amanda’s Cookin’ – Chicken & Poultry (amandascookin.com)
ORANGES – In addition to vitamin C, oranges have other nutrients that keep your body healthy. The fiber in oranges can keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce high cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Navel Orange Salad with Avocado – Skinnytaste
PEACHES – These are a great source of vitamins A and C, and are also rich in potassium. Peaches can help boost your immune system, help prevent cancer, strengthen your heart and aid in digestion. They are also great for your skin, help with anti-aging, and prevent hair loss.
Try this peach salsa with your favorite grilled chicken tacos!
Peach Salsa (thepioneerwoman.com)
BROCCOLI – Has great immune boosting properties and is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin and vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E and K.
As an organization that values inclusivity, we understand that homeless people in the area can reintegrate into the workforce and become productive members of our community. ESDC hosts a number of events per year with the purpose of providing the homeless with soft skills training and job search assistance. Through our partnerships with local cosmetology schools and dry-cleaning businesses, participants can receive no-cost grooming services, choose lightly-used business/casual attire and engage in mock interviews to help them prepare for real-life job interviews. Through our collaboration with local businesses, program participants are in a better position to find a job that can be a good fit for them.
We understand that it is important for working parents, or those who wish to participate in workforce training programs, to secure reliable daycare and afterschool services for their children. Through ESDC’s partnerships with local nonprofits and local caregivers, parents can access daycare and afterschool programs for their children so they can focus on taking the next steps toward improving their family’s financial well-being.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group within the United States. In the predominantly Hispanic communities of Chicago such as: Pilsen, Back of the Yards, Brighton Park and Little Village, it is important that community organizations come together to address the needs of those who do not have health insurance coverage. ESDC works with its local nonprofit partners and governmental agencies to support the healthcare needs of uninsured families in the area by connecting them to pop-up clinics, health mobiles, vaccine drives, etc.
ESDC was founded in response to the housing crisis that was disproportionately impacting the Hispanic community in the 1970s. Today, it serves as a Technical Assistance-Community (formerly known as Housing Resource Center or HRC) agency and provides housing-related information, problem solving, and workshops to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners. Thanks to funding on behalf of the City of Chicago’s Department of Housing (DOH), ESDC is able to help local families navigate government (city, county, state, federal) and local nonprofit programs to find housing that is safe and affordable.