1 in 6 need food help in Cook County, study says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One in six people in Cook County depend on food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters for help, according to a new study by Hunger in America.

At Common Pantry, located in the 3700-block of North Damen in Roscoe Village, the line stretches around the corner the third Monday of every month. That's when volunteers hand out fresh produce at the pantry, which is open twice a week to feed the hungry and those who need help supplementing their food budget.

"Without it, the dollars, you wouldn't have enough," Sarena Flint said.

The Chicago Food Depository distributes millions of pounds of food annually. Hunger affects people across the city, in every neighborhood, workers said.

"One of the key findings that we have seen in the Hunger in America survey is that hunger exists in every part of our community. It does not discriminate. More than half of the people we serve have worked in the last twelve months," Jim Conwell, Greater Chicago Food Depository, said.