Chicago Shares, an Nonprofit Food Voucher Program, Donates $5,000 to Catholic Charities

On June 24^th Catholic Charities was honored to accept a $5,000 donation from Chicago Shares to assist in the many services Catholic Charities provides to the poor.                                                                                          

Chicago Shares is a unique, nonprofit, nondenominational organization that is helping to feed the hungry with the assistance of merchants, churches, synagogues and a team of volunteers.  Chicago Shares provides voucher coupons that can be given to persons in need. The coupons can be used at participating stores and restaurants throughout Chicago’s Loop, Near North and Lincoln Park communities to purchase food and other basic necessities, but never alcohol or tobacco.

Each year a certain percentage of the vouchers purchased by generous people are never redeemed, thus providing a reservoir of funds that the Chicago Shares board has mandated be given to organizations providing food and /or other direct services to the poor.   This year, Chicago Shares chose Catholic Charities as a recipient of one of these grants in recognition of the agency’s comprehensive service to the poor.

For more information about Chicago Shares, visit www.chicagoshares.org; or call (312) 573-4469.

Helping people in need for over 90 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of  the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting more than one  million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background.  Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.

In a time of diminished giving, Chicago Shares is digging deep to recognize outstanding organizations serving the hungry poor. Chicago Shares is a unique not-for-profit corporation that provides a way for the community to collaborate in helping Chicagoans in need.

The essence of Chicago Shares are $1 vouchers that caring neighbors buy to give to homeless people for food and other necessities (but not alcohol or tobacco) instead of cash.

Since approximately 25 percent of the vouchers purchased are not redeemed, Chicago Shares is distributing its $20,000 unredeemed voucher surplus to the following organizations:

• Catholic Charities, www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
• St. Vincent de Paul Center, www.svdpc.org
• Southwest Chicago Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), www.swchicagopads.org
• Central City Housing Ventures, cchvchicago.org
• Alternatives, Inc., www.alternativesyouth.org
• Lakeview Pantry,  www.lakeviewpantry.org

For more information about Chicago Shares, including participating merchants in Chicago’s Loop, near North and Lincoln Park areas, or to purchase vouchers online using PayPal, go to, http://www.chicagoshares.org/

The Chicago Shares program, serving Chicagoland since 1993, is a partnership among local merchants, churches and the community.  Chicago Shares takes a one-person-at-a-time approach to helping neighbors who need an immediate helping hand. Chicago Shares is operated completely by volunteers.

Chicago Shares is incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation within the State of Illinois.

Contact:

You can contact Chicago Shares through contact page or by calling 312-573-4469.