Help Bridge the SNAP Gap With Chicago Shares
The suspension of SNAP benefits this fall showed how other organizations stepped up to fill the gap. And it's also a reminder that SNAP benefits may not reach everyone all the time.
The Chicago Shares food voucher program has been serving the food insecure in the Chicago area for over 30 years. Our model is simple: Anyone may buy vouchers on our website to hand out to those in need. The vouchers may then be redeemed at any one of our network of Jewel food stores in the Chicago area for food or anything else besides alcohol or tobacco.
And in addition to buying actual vouchers, donations to Chicago Shares are used to award grants to distribute more vouchers or support other agencies serving the food insecure.
Please consider buying vouchers to hand out on your own or simply making a donation. We're grateful for any form of support to help those in need.
The Chicago Shares food voucher program has been serving the food insecure in the Chicago area for over 30 years. Our model is simple: Anyone may buy vouchers on our website to hand out to those in need. The vouchers may then be redeemed at any one of our network of Jewel food stores in the Chicago area for food or anything else besides alcohol or tobacco.
And in addition to buying actual vouchers, donations to Chicago Shares are used to award grants to distribute more vouchers or support other agencies serving the food insecure.
Please consider buying vouchers to hand out on your own or simply making a donation. We're grateful for any form of support to help those in need.
Gratitude for Donation of Shares - Holy Name Cathedral
After receiving a donation of Chicago Shares worth $500, Fr. Joseph Tito at Holy Name Cathedral shared the following note of gratitude. The support of those who purchase Shares makes possible donations such as this.
"Please accept my thanks in the name of Cabrini Immigrant Ministries for the generous donation of Shares. We assisted an immigrant family who were struggling to pay rent and feed themselves. The Shares are helping them in this difficult time to cover all their expenses.
Another portion of the Shares was distributed to a few other immigrant families.
Thank you,
Fr. Joseph Tito, Holy Name Cathedral"
"Please accept my thanks in the name of Cabrini Immigrant Ministries for the generous donation of Shares. We assisted an immigrant family who were struggling to pay rent and feed themselves. The Shares are helping them in this difficult time to cover all their expenses.
Another portion of the Shares was distributed to a few other immigrant families.
Thank you,
Fr. Joseph Tito, Holy Name Cathedral"
Chicago Shares on Catholic Chicago Radio
In December 2025, Chicago Shares Board President King Poor and Vice President Liz Kohlbeck were guests of Fr. Greg on Chicago Catholic Radio's podcast. King and Liz discussed Chicago Shares' mission and explained how the program works.
Visit this link to watch a video of the conversation.
Visit this link to watch a video of the conversation.
Chicago Help Initiative Voucher Grant
Chicago Shares was pleased to provide a special grant of vouchers to the Chicago Help Initiative (CHI), a respected not-fot-for-profit that for more than two decades has been delivering meals and access to social services to Chicagoans who are experiencing homelessness, hunger, and economic insecurity. CHI executive director Doug Fraser stated that his organization would distribute these Shares to participants in the CHI “New Jobs” program. The Chicago Shares vouchers will help pay for lunches for these workers during their first couple of weeks on their new jobs. “It’s welcome help plus it boosts morale,” remarked Fraser.
Photo courtesy of Lloyd DeGrane, 2018
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How It WorksChicagoans purchase Chicago Shares, which are food vouchers, from our website or a local church. The purchaser shares the food vouchers with people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The voucher recipients then use the vouchers to purchase food and personal care items from our local partners. These vouchers cannot be exchanged for alcohol or tobacco products.
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Feeding Our Neighbors Since 1993
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YEARS OF OPERATION
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VOUCHERS SOLD
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More Than A Meal:
Words From Chicago Shares' President King Poor
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"A young woman sits on a Chicago sidewalk. Only a blanket separates her from the concrete as she tries to stay warm against the winter winds. Beside her is a cup. She is looking downward and holds a cardboard sign: 'Please help. God bless.'
We pause and wonder if dropping cash in her cup might only add to an addiction, but also ask, 'Is there anything else I can do?' For more than 25 years, Chicago Shares has helped would-be passersby answer that question with a simple gesture: providing vouchers that may be redeemed for a meal at a local food store. These vouchers may be bought directly from Chicago Shares (online) or from local houses of worship. And the vouchers provide more than a meal. None of us lives by bread alone. We also live by connections. Stopping to hand a Chicago Shares voucher to someone on the street with a friendly word tells them that they are not invisible. It offers them the bread of recognition and connection." - Words from Chicago Shares' president, King Poor |
Photo courtesy of Lloyd DeGrane, 2020
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Thank You, Jewel-Osco!
Thank you to the good folks at the 25+ Jewel-Osco Stores in the Chicagoland area that accept Chicago Shares for the purchase of food and necessities (never for alcohol or tobacco). Jewel-Osco's ongoing, reliable participation in the Chicago Shares program enables generous Chicagoans to provide immediate, respectful, one-to-one assistance to the needy.
Testimonial from Chicago Shares Supporter
"Food insecurity is such a devastating problem in our city, country, world. I think that Chicago Shares are a small and important way those of us with means can assist in real-time. I like the fact that the coupons are restricted to food."
John Perrotti, Streeterville neighborhood resident
John Perrotti, Streeterville neighborhood resident
Donations Accepted
Portrait courtesy of Ellen L. Rontal
If you don't have opportunity to hand out Chicago Shares yourself, but would like to support our program, please consider a donation. While we are 100% volunteer run, we do have very modest administration/operating costs to cover.
Please use the button below to submit your donation through our secure online platform.
Thank you for your kind help!
Please use the button below to submit your donation through our secure online platform.
Thank you for your kind help!
About Us
Chicago Shares is non-profit organization that facilitates a food voucher program to help feed Chicagoans in need.
Inspired by a similar voucher program in Berkeley, California, Chicago Shares was launched in January of 1993 at Holy Name Cathedral. Chicago Shares has always been a volunteer program, which means there is no paid staff. Our volunteers have been the key to the success and growth of this program. Additionally, the Chicago Shares program simply would not function without the participation of the vendors who accept our vouchers.
Every year Chicagoans show great generosity and care for their hungry neighbors. Over the years, some $50,000 in vouchers are redeemed annually from our participating vendors. We take pride in contributing to the well-being of others by providing the Chicago community with a safe, respectful and easy alternative to help feed people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Inspired by a similar voucher program in Berkeley, California, Chicago Shares was launched in January of 1993 at Holy Name Cathedral. Chicago Shares has always been a volunteer program, which means there is no paid staff. Our volunteers have been the key to the success and growth of this program. Additionally, the Chicago Shares program simply would not function without the participation of the vendors who accept our vouchers.
Every year Chicagoans show great generosity and care for their hungry neighbors. Over the years, some $50,000 in vouchers are redeemed annually from our participating vendors. We take pride in contributing to the well-being of others by providing the Chicago community with a safe, respectful and easy alternative to help feed people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.