Danny Lewin Community Care Day Community Food Drive!!

Join A Boy and His Dream Foundation, Akamai Technologies, and Phenomenal Fitness for a community food drive honoring Danny Lewin Community Care Day.

Together, we will collect, sort, package, and prepare healthy, non-perishable food baskets for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Chicago.

Thursday, October 8, 202612:00 PM – 2:00 PMPhenomenal Fitness2001 S. State StreetChicago, IL 60616

Danny Lewin Community Care Day honors the legacy of Danny Lewin, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, and his commitment to giving back to communities.

This Chicago food drive brings that spirit of service directly into our community.

A Boy and His Dream Foundation believes that meaningful change begins by serving the people around us. Our work focuses on education, mentorship, scholarships, health and nutrition, youth development, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive.

In June 2026, A Boy and His Dream received Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). While our work now has a greater global platform, our commitment remains deeply rooted in local communities—including right here in Chicago.

What You Can Do

Bring one or more non-perishable food items to the food drive.

Donate foodVolunteer to sort and package food basketsInvite your friends, family, coworkers, church, school, gym, or community organizationHelp us reach Chicago families who need a helping hand

We are building baskets of healthy, nutritious, shelf-stable foods.

Most-needed items include:

1. Rice
2. Dry beans — lentils, black beans, chickpeas
3. Canned beans
4. Canned tuna or sardines
5. Canned chicken
6. Peanut butter
7. Canned vegetables
8. Canned fruit, preferably packed in juice
9. Pasta
10. Pasta sauce
11. Oatmeal
12. Shelf-stable milk
13. Canned soups or stews
14. Instant noodles — low-sodium preferred
15. Granola or protein bars

Please make sure all donated food is:

• Unopened
• Unexpired
• In its original packaging
• Properly sealed
• Safe for distribution

When possible, please avoid glass containers because food baskets will be transported and distributed to community organizations and families.

We are prioritizing nutritious pantry staples and avoiding foods that are excessively high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat. The Greater Chicago Food Depository similarly advises that donated food be unopened, in original packaging, and free from damage or contamination.

Donation Receipts:

A Boy and His Dream Foundation will provide an in-kind donation acknowledgment/receipt upon request for qualifying food donations.

Donors should keep their own records of the items donated. The receipt will acknowledge the description and date of the donated items but will not assign a dollar value to the donation. Donors are responsible for determining the value of their donated property and should consult their tax professional regarding deductibility.

For qualifying non-cash charitable contributions, IRS guidance requires appropriate written acknowledgment and recordkeeping, with additional requirements applying at higher contribution values. (IRS⁠)

To request a donation receipt, please provide:

• Donor/Organization Name
• Email Address
• Mailing Address
• Date of Donation
• Description of Items Donated
• Approximate Quantity
• Name of Authorized Representative, if applicable

Where Your Donations Can Make a Difference

Following the food drive, A Boy and His Dream will work with Chicago community organizations serving people experiencing food insecurity.

Our outreach focus includes three community groups:

Women & Families

Potential community partners include:

• Primo Center
• Sarah’s Circle
• Cornerstone Community Outreach
• Margaret’s Village
• Maria Shelter

Sarah’s Circle provides housing, food, and supportive services for women experiencing homelessness. (Sarah’s Circle⁠)

Cornerstone Community Outreach operates shelter programs for single women, single mothers, and families and provides meals and food-support services. (CColife⁠)

Margaret’s Village provides transitional housing for women, children and families, including its Maria Shelter, and also operates programs serving older adults. (Margaret’s Village⁠)

Youth

• Covenant House Illinois
• La Casa Norte
• Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

Covenant House Illinois serves Chicago youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability and provides food, shelter, housing support, education, employment and other services. (Covenant House⁠)

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls provides residential care, education and support for young people in Chicago. (Mercy Home for Boys & Girls⁠)

Older Adults

Potential community partners include:

• Meals on Wheels Chicago
• Chicago senior programs
• Senior food programs and community centers
• Salvation Army/Booth Manor
• Other senior-serving organizations identified through our outreach

Meals on Wheels Chicago provides food and nutrition programs for Chicago seniors and people with disabilities. (Meals on Wheels Chicago⁠)

The Greater Chicago Food Depository also operates programs providing shelf-stable food boxes to eligible older adults in Chicago and Cook County. (Greater Chicago Food Depository⁠)

Please note: Community distribution partners may be subject to confirmation based on their current food needs, acceptance policies, capacity, and coordination with A Boy and His Dream Foundation.

Be Part of the Solution

A can of beans may seem small.

A bag of rice may seem simple.

A box of oatmeal may seem ordinary.

But when hundreds of people come together, small acts of generosity become something much bigger.

Let’s fill baskets with food.

Let’s fill homes with hope.

Let’s remind our neighbors that they are not alone.

Hosted By

A Boy and His Dream FoundationAkamai TechnologiesPhenomenal Fitness

Event Details

Info: Community Food Drive – Chicago

Thursday, October 8, 2026
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Phenomenal Fitness
2001 S. State Street, Chicago, IL

EVENT AGENDA

12:00 – 12:15 PM | Welcome & Opening

Guest and volunteer check-in
Welcome from A Boy and His Dream
Introduction to Danny Lewin Community Care Day
Remarks from Akamai Technologies and Phenomenal Fitness
Overview of the food drive mission
12:15 – 12:45 PM | Food Donation Collection

Community members drop off donations
Volunteers receive and organize food
Sort donations by category
12:45 – 1:30 PM | Food Basket Assembly

Assemble food baskets for Chicago families and community organizations
Package canned goods, rice, pasta, pasta sauce and nutritious snacks
Organize completed baskets for distribution
1:30 – 1:50 PM | Community Recognition & Photos

Recognize volunteers, partners and donors
Community networking
Group photos and social media content
1:50 – 2:00 PM | Closing & Thank You

Final remarks
Celebrate the collective impact
Thank volunte

Event venue & nearby stays

Phenomenal Fitness, 2001 South State Street, Chicago, United States

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