'The Bear' producers, ABC7 Chicago team up to fight summer hunger

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The producers of the award-winning hit series "The Bear" teamed up Monday with FX, Hulu, ABC Owned Television Stations and The Walt Disney Company to fight summer hunger and call attention to the persistent problem facing children who deal with food insecurity during the summer months.

The companies, including ABC7 Chicago, are collaborating with organizations in New York and Los Angeles and the Greater Chicago Food Depository to donate nearly 450,000 meals to children and families in the three cities.

Cast members from FX's "The Bear" and ABC stations make a big donation to food banks in NYC, Chicago, and LA.

"Giving back to the communities where we work and live is so meaningful to everyone associated with 'The Bear,'" said Josh Senior, executive producer for "The Bear," which is set in Chicago and recently released its second season. "We're grateful to FX, Hulu, ABC's Owned Television Stations and Disney for their support of this effort. We hope it will create more attention and awareness about the serious issue of summer hunger, and engage more people in the cause to help people in need."

Corey Hendrix, who is an actor on the hit show, said this mission is a personal one.

The star is from the West Side of Chicago, a North Lawndale native.

"When I was younger, my father worked for the city. And I would help him pass out food boxes. I've done some similar work. I know the need. It's a big thing. In the summer time, kids aren't in school, some aren't in summer programs, so the food has to come somewhere. It's really tight on families so this means a lot," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of meals will be donated to children and families in need in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

The actor still lives in North Lawndale, and said he's looking forward to continuing his work in the community.

"It just all comes together. 'The Bear' is a great Chicago show. They're doing some great Chicago things," Hendrix said. "Things don't change unless we invest in where we come from."

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"Feeding America and their incredible network of food banks do such important work each and every day providing hunger relief to children and families in need," said Debra OConnell, president of Networks and Television Business Operations for Disney Entertainment Television. "It is an honor for us to create a special connection between them in our top ABC Owned Station markets and the immensely talented cast and crew of FX's 'The Bear' on Hulu to help support and shine a light on an issue that impacts so many children every summer."

From canned goods to boxes of food, it's all hands on deck at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

According to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, an estimated 22 million children receive their breakfast or lunch through school programs, and many have trouble finding proper meals and nutrition when school is not in session.

"Summer can mean up to 90 days without school meals for children facing hunger," said Lauren Biedron, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. "We are thankful for 'The Bear' producers, FX, Hulu, and Disney for cooking up a wonderful opportunity to help us raise awareness of Summer Hunger and to help provide more meals to our neighbors in need."

Last summer, the Feeding America network served 24 million meals to children and families through its network of affiliated food banks nationwide.

Kate Maher, the CEO of the food depository, said the need for meals across the area has skyrocketed.

"We are still seeing our numbers at the same levels that they were in the early days of the pandemic. So many families have been impacted by inflation, by the rollback of some of those federal nutrition programs, so it is tough out there for families, particularly families with children," Maher said. "To get this donation today will make it possible for us to continue to send out food."

That food will flow out to a network of 800 community-based food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in every neighborhood of Chicago and Cook County.

For more information on the Greater Chicago Food Depository, visit its website at chicagosfoodbank.org.

Over the past 10 years, The Walt Disney Company has been committed to the effort to end hunger, teaming up with Feeding America to donate millions of meals to children and families who need it most including today's gift which is part of an annual donation that will deliver nearly five million meals nationwide.

Disney has participated in food rescue programs via their theme parks, donating millions of pounds of food; Disney VoluntEARS efforts, which provide opportunities for employees and cast members to dedicate thousands of volunteer hours to their local food banks; and through their Disney Matching Gifts program.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of Hulu and this ABC station.