More than one in ten households in the US experience hunger or the risk of hunger. Many of the most affected are children. Studies show that an early childhood spent in hunger creates a higher risk of chronic illness and mental and behavioral problems—often leading to a self perpetuating cycle of need later in life.
Chef Mary Ellen Diaz knows firsthand about the power of food. Trained at l’Ecole des Arts Culinaires, Diaz loves food for its ability to create connections and memories. She also values nutrition at its purest: comfort food and local organics.
SUBSCRIBE to First Slice’s shareholder program. Not only will you receive convenient, home-cooked, restaurant-quality meals weekly, but your subscription will also directly contribute to funding the same high-quality meals for people in need. Family Individual subscriptions are available.
VOLUNTEER at First Slice’s community-supported kitchen. You’ll work with other volunteers and staff to serve a hot, high-quality three-course meal to approximately 100 men, women, and children. Help us bring our community together over delicious, nutritious meals.
DONATE to support First Slice’s kitchen. Your gift will help fund meals Chicago’s neediest.
$40 provides 50–60 servings of hot, freshly prepared home-style soup to be served to Chicago’s hungry and homeless.
$60 provides one week’s worth of freshly baked First Slice cookies to children and adults living on the streets.
$198 provides a low-income family of three with meals for six weeks.
$396 provides a low-income family of three with meals for twelve weeks.
Get more inside scoop on First Slice—download our brochures.
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It’s surprisingly easy to help fight hunger. First Slice’s unique self-funding structure allows busy families to help the hungry even as they relax their own schedules. Families may subscribe to receive three gourmet meals a week—all nourishing, balanced, and prepared from local organic ingredients. One family subscription feeds 20 hungry people every month.
Thanks to First Slice, Chicago’s neediest receive the very same food as subscribers. It’s wholesome, hearty and comforting. It might be the first good meal they’ve had in months.
What does it mean to give the first slice of the pie to those who are used to living on crusts? It means dignity—often for the first time. It means hope. It means the possibility of not only sustenance but joy. And you can help.
A SAMPLE OF OUR MENU:
Italian chopped salad
mix of Romaine lettuce and local greens, fresh tomatoes, black olives, garlic croutons and Parmesan cheese tossed in a red wine vinaigrette
Spinach and butternut squash lasagna
with mushroom and roasted red pepper dip
Chocolate-peanut butter pie