Jewel-Osco offering grants to help food pantries, soup kitchens

Grocery chain Jewel-Osco has announced it's accepting applications for grants to help food pantries and soup kitchens in Illinois and Indiana.

Eligible agencies can apply for grants of up to $2,500. Last year, the program provided more than 100 groups with money to buy refrigerators, shelving, sorting tables and other equipment.

In its second year, the program is conducted in cooperation with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Agencies, which must be located in designated Illinois and Indiana counties, have until Aug. 14 to submit a request. Grants will be awarded in November.

Itasca-based Jewel-Osco is operated by Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc.