In 2012, Giving Tuesday began with a simple idea, a day devoted to giving: money, time or acts of kindness.
According to the non-profit of the same name, $3.6 billion was donated here in the U.S. last year on Giving Tuesday.
For 2025, the need is great around the world and here in Chicago.
Sheila Cawley is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Chicago Community Trust which was founded more than 100 years ago.
"It was founded to bring all sorts of people together to address Chicago's most pressing needs," Cawley said.
Part 1 - Our Chicago: Giving Tuesday
Decades later, there are people in need across the city. Cawley says those needs include food insecurity, housing and healthcare.
This year, the Trust has decided to focus primarily on food insecurity. Cawley says gifts can some in any size.
"Philanthropists can be $10 donors or million-dollar donors, it doesn't matter. Philanthropy is about caring for other people; and what we encourage people to do is think about what values they have," Cawley said.
Mitzi Baum is the Chief Executive Officer of Nourishing Hope, which helps people who need food, mental health services and more.
"We've seen a huge spike in the need for our services other the past few weeks with the suspension of SNAP benefits, and then the reinstatement. With the government shutdown, people not receiving paychecks and people that were sheltering in place due to the ICE activity in the city of Chicago. We've seen a huge surge in need," Baum said.
However, food isn't the only type of assistance Nourishing Hope provides.
Part 2 - Our Chicago: Giving Tuesday
"Many times, that brings people in and they learn about the other services that we provide: mental wellness services, with our licensed therapists. We also have case managers that can assist with accessing different types of benefits throughout our systems," Baum said.
For more information, visit:
The Chicago Community Trust: cct.org
Nourishing Hope: nourishinghopechi.org