Before the Meals on Wheels Chicago Nourish Chicago Pantry opens at Central West Senior Center, there's already a steady buzz throughout the dining hall. On a sunny morning at the end of July, neighbors greet one another as they find seats at the community tables. The recreation room was transformed into a pop-up farmers market, with tables stacked with baskets of tomatoes, peaches, peppers, eggs, dairy and meat. Emily is already waiting when the doors open. At 86, she hasn't missed a single Nourish Chicago Pantry.

As rising costs and limited funding force difficult program cuts across the city, Meals on Wheels Chicago (MoWC) today announced the launch of the Feed a Neighbor Fund, a new giving initiative designed to help address a growing hunger crisis among Chicago seniors. Beginning last month, thousands of seniors who previously received five days of meals per week are now being reduced to just three – leaving many with fewer than seven meals to rely on each week.

Dishing Up Dignity! The Meals on Wheels Chicago Q2 newsletter.

Dishing Up Dignity! The Meals on Wheels Chicago spring newsletter.