ABC7 Chicago Launches Feed the Love Food Drive
The annual campaign aims to raise awareness of food insecurity and support three regional food banks through a November 12 takeover.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you think food insecurity is getting worse in your area?
ABC7 Chicago has launched its annual Feed the Love campaign to raise awareness about food insecurity. Last year's campaign raised more than $136,000 for local food pantries and regional food banks.
Why it matters
Hunger is a year-round problem that places an especially heavy burden on families during the holidays. The campaign also highlights the effects of recent changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and eligibility on Chicago-area households.
Last year's Feed the Love campaign raised more than $136,000 for local food pantries and regional food banks. This year's total will be tracked on the campaign's Meal Meter as the holiday season progresses.
The players
ABC7 Chicago
ABC7 Chicago is the Chicago-area television station of the ABC network, which runs the Feed the Love campaign.
Terrell Brown
Terrell Brown is the morning show anchor at ABC7 Chicago who will lead the employee volunteer effort.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is one of the largest food banks in the Chicago area and the site of the employee volunteer effort.
The details
ABC7 employees, led by morning show anchor Terrell Brown, will volunteer on November 6 at the Greater Chicago Food Depository through the Disney VoluntEARS program to sort and box food. The Feed the Love Takeover beginning November 12 will support the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, featuring a special Cooking Up a Storm episode with Tracy Butler.
Timeline
Nov. 6: ABC7 employees volunteer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Nov. 12: The Feed the Love Takeover begins, supporting three food banks.
Dec. 1: Giving Tuesday broadcast features representatives from three food banks.
Philanthropy Landscape
The Feed the Love campaign follows the model of media-company charity drives that pair on-air fundraising with employee volunteering, a model the Disney VoluntEARS program formalizes. Such campaigns typically measure success in dollars raised and pounds of food distributed, metrics that shape how broadcasters allocate local charitable effort.
Chicago-area residents can follow the Meal Meter on ABC7 broadcasts to track the campaign's progress throughout the holiday season. Households affected by recent changes to SNAP benefits can look to the three participating food banks for assistance.
The takeaway
Food insecurity is a year-round issue, and sustained community giving helps local pantries meet need beyond the holidays. Readers who want to help can donate to or volunteer with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank or Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
What happens next
ABC7 Chicago's Feed the Love Takeover begins November 12, with a Giving Tuesday broadcast featuring food bank representatives on December 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local giving efforts, explore Chicago Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 Chicago.
Live Poll
Do you think food insecurity is getting worse in your area?
