Democratic National Convention donated more than 26,000 pounds of leftover food to Chicagoans in need

Last week, Chicago accommodated politicians, celebrities, journalists and thousands of other out-of-towners at the Democratic National Convention.

But the city also made efforts to serve its own in the process.

The convention worked with the city, including Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar, and other partners to rescue and donate 26,746 pounds of leftover food, distributing 22,288 meals to more than a dozen Chicago-area churches and nonprofits. The contribution was part of the event’s sustainability plan, which also included steps to prevent waste, reduce emissions and reuse materials. Local organizations Bright Beat and Purpose served as sustainability advisors, helping the event take a comprehensive, community-centered approach, according to a convention committee spokesperson.

Bright Beat founder Stephanie Katsaros and Purpose founder Marley Finnegan spoke about the importance of food rescue in a statement to the Sun-Times.

“Sustainability is a critical element of the Democratic National Convention, and we are proud to see our efforts pay off,” they said. “Implementing food rescue was a top priority for the convention because it reduces environmental impact and leaves a lasting, positive impact on the community. We are grateful to our partners at Levy [Restaurants], the United Center, McCormick Place, and the City of Chicago for working with us to produce the most sustainable convention in history.”

Breakthrough Urban Ministries was one of the recipients of the food recovery initiative. Serving the Garfield Park community, the nonprofit provides housing, food, behavioral health services, educational programs and more. Through the convention’s donated meals, which included Italian beef sandwiches, the organization was able to feed approximately 40 people, according to case manager Arica Weathers.

The impact of the contribution underscored a growing need in the neighborhood, Weathers said.

“Donations are drying up, so receiving that helped us to reserve food that we would’ve had to use,” she said. “Especially in our community, there’s really not enough resources here.”

Other recipients included Covenant House, Franciscan Outreach, CIRCLE Foundation-Benton House, Dunamis Life Church, Hope Church Pilsen, Thresholds, New Life Covenant, Calmeca Academy, Bethel Temple and Rebano, according to the convention committee.

By donating and composting the leftover food, the DNC limited the amount of landfill waste, thus reducing methane and gas production, according to data supplied by a DNC committee spokesperson. The convention committee reported 93,886 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions diverted from landfills, along with more than 5.3 million gallons of water saved.

With guidance from Katsaros and Finnegan, convention stakeholders adopted sustainable practices and tracked data on everything from attendee travel emissions and sustainable menu choices to hotel sustainability initiatives and tree-planting, said the spokesperson. It is the team’s hope that sustainability practices are continued well after the convention, they said.