Humanitarian Aid & Action

Our Impact

For the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, serving our neighbors is one of the truest expressions of our Orthodox Christian faith. It is both a blessing and a responsibility to care for the most vulnerable members in our society. The Metropolis is proud to have made a positive impact on the lives of so many individuals and families in need.

We are honored to participate in the humanitarian campaign organized by the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition, and will work closely with our community partners to ensure that humanitarian aid and relief are delivered to those who need it most.

Project Agape

The St. Iakovos Retreat Center has been repurposed as a first responder quarantine site. Called “Project Agape,” health care workers, EMT personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers who are exposed to the COVID-19 virus and required to quarantine themselves, can take residence at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center free of charge. Learn more here.

Masks Matter Campaign

The Philoptochos Society of the Metropolis of Chicago has been engaged in a campaign to sew, assemble and distribute 10,000 cloth masks by December 31. Called “Masks Matter,” the campaign aims to donate masks to service groups engaged in humanitarian work. To date, more than 2,000 masks have been made and distributed.

Food Security for Families

The Metropolis has organized a program to provide and deliver food to economically disadvantaged families in the Chicago area. Fifty families throughout the Chicagoland area are scheduled to receive free non-contact delivered groceries on a weekly basis. The program will be based at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Chicago’s west side, and administered through 26 of our parishes in the Chicago area. The program is made possible by the generous support of a coalition of retail businesses.

Serving Chicago’s Communities, Block By Block

The Metropolis of Chicago is proud to partner with the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition to do its part so that the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, those who are distressed are comforted, and first responders are protected so they can continue to save lives.

Over 200+ Organizations Served

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago has supported the following shelters, food banks, counseling centers, youth organizations and other non-profit organizations:

Alternatives, Inc., Antioch Traveling Closet, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Avon Food Pantry, BEDS – multiple locations, Big Brothers and Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, Bereavement Program for Kids, Bridgeview Food Pantry, Catholic Charities of Joliet, Central Illinois Food Bank, Covenant House, CircEsteem, Feed My Neighbor, Grace’s Café, Care for Real, Coats for Kids, Constance Morris House, Dress for Success, St. Jude Battered Women’s Shelter, The Night Ministry, Wings, and many more!

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10