The National Restaurant Association announced today that exhibiting companies at its 2008 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, donated an impressive 116,553 pounds of top quality food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) after the event. As one of the largest food donation events in Chicago, the NRA Show helped provide meals for 87,633 hungry men, women, and children in the Chicago area. Last year, Show exhibitors donated 112,000 pounds of food. The Association and GCFD have partnered to facilitate food donations from the NRA Show for more than 20 years.

“Being in the hospitality industry, it comes naturally to restaurants and their vendors and suppliers to give back to the communities we serve,” says William C. Anton, FMP, convention chairman for NRA Show 2008, and chairman and founder of Anton Airfood Inc. “The food collected from the NRA Show–the largest international trade show for the foodservice and hospitality industry–made a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.”

“We are so thankful for the National Restaurant Association’s commitment to fighting hunger in our community,” says Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “This donation has put food on the table for many individuals and families who are facing the challenges of rising fuel and food costs.”

The donated food was distributed through a network of more than 600 qualified GCFD member agencies, which include pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers, and senior living facilities. Additional food was distributed to other Chicago area food banks.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a not-for-profit food distribution and training center providing food for the hungry in its community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters to almost a half-million adults and children every year.

NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The 2009 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event will be held in conjunction with NRA Show 2009.

Charitable Giving, News