Summer Lunch Buses help Chicago fight hunger - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

FOX Chicago News teaming up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help fight hunger all year long.

While food drives are popular during the holiday season, hunger knows no season and we can all help those in need.

A relatively new, but very successful program fights hunger this summer with their lunch buses.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Lunch Bus program hands out free lunch to hungry kids five days a week - kids who may be missing out on a guaranteed meal that they receive when school is in session.

Since school is out for summer, a staggering one-in-five Cook County children are food insecure: unaware of when or where their next meal is coming from. The lunch buses roll in to help.

"We have seven sites total and we stay for 20 minutes," volunteer Dalila Ramos said. "Yesterday we were able to feed 175 kids."

Ramos said it feels awesome to know she can help make sure these kids stay nourished.

The Lunch Bus program consists of three buses that make a combined 21 stops, five days a week. They're in Englewood on Monday.

The program launched in 2010, and it's grown each year. This summer they'll deliver over 34,000 free lunches.

"The nice thing is the kids are so mannerly and so thankful when they receive it too," volunteer Terry Johnson said. "So it's a good feeling to give it to them."

The traveling food show continues from Englewood to Bronzeville, at the Wabash YMCA. The lunch bus transports dozens of nutritious meals to be handed out to kids in need.

"It's great to see the kids every day," Ramos said. "Usually the same kids come out to every site. So I get to know the kids a little bit. It's been great. [It's just a] great opportunity to just be in the community and be able to give back."