Vivery Community | Food Access for All

Our approach

Food is just the beginning.

We connect neighbors across Chicago to nutritious food and essential services through trusted community partnerships and technology, bringing together the organizations, healthcare providers, and food partners who serve the whole person.

Our approach

Food is just the beginning.

We connect neighbors across Chicago to nutritious food and essential services through trusted community partnerships and technology, bringing together the organizations, healthcare providers, and food partners who serve the whole person.

Illustration of a person carrying a box of groceries

Nutritious food and fresh produce, within reach

Our network of local food providers supply fresh food and produce. Over the course of 12 months, participants receive twice-monthly deliveries of groceries, prepared meals, and fresh produce — directly to their countertops.

Our impact

Stronger outcomes start with access.

Our results show what’s possible when communities, healthcare providers, and food partners work together. Together, we’re reaching more households, improving food security and health, and building stronger, more connected communities.

0K+
Lbs of food and produce delivered: 0
Chicago zip codes served: 0%
Participants reporting stronger health: 0%
Reduction in household food insecurity: 0%
Reported lower stress around food access

Leadership

The people behind the work.

Danya Rosen
Executive Director
Danya Rosen
She/her
Executive Director
Danya Rosen is the Executive Director of Vivery Community, where she leads the organization's strategic vision, fundraising, partnerships, operations, and programmatic growth. Prior to joining Vivery Community, Danya served as Executive Director of Chicago Run, where she expanded equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs for thousands of young people across Chicago. Previously, she was Executive Director of Peer Health Exchange Chicago, a health equity nonprofit that trains college student volunteers to deliver health education in under-resourced high schools. Earlier in her career, Danya served as Deputy Outreach Director at Peace Action, an advocacy organization promoting international diplomacy, nuclear non-proliferation, and U.S. adherence to international peace treaties.
Danya holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She served on the boards of National Able Network and Proud To Run Chicago, and mentored emerging nonprofit leaders through the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Chicago Leadership Institute and Northwestern University's Public Interest Program. She has been a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow since 2019 and was recognized as a Crain's Chicago Business Notable LGBTQ Executive in 2019.
Dalia Almanza
Senior Manager, Community Partnerships
Gillian Fitzgerald
Community Program Coordinator
Gillian Fitzgerald
She/her/ella
Community Program Coordinator
Gillian Fitzgerald is the Community Program Coordinator at Vivery Community. She coordinates the day-to-day logistics of all programs by managing daily home deliveries and serving as the primary contact for food pantries, delivery partners, and program participants. Gillian is passionate about nonprofit and social service work in Chicago, harnessing five professional years' experience in the sector in programming, with a prior two years of experience interning with a variety of local nonprofits in Pittsburgh, PA. Most recently, before joining Vivery Community, Gillian worked as a Bilingual Pantry Coordinator at Nourishing Hope, a food pantry and social services organization where she coordinated in-person pantry programs and connected community members with immediate need services. Gillian holds a B.A. in International Relations and Multiplatform Journalism from Duquesne University.
Cat LaMendola
Development Manager
Cat LaMendola
She/her
Development Manager
Cat LaMendola is the Development Manager at Vivery Community, where she works to advance the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts by managing all elements of development operations and external communications. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for a decade, and has 5 years of progressive experience working in development in service of a variety of missions. Prior to joining Vivery Community, Cat was a Director of Fundraising Programs at Shatterproof, a national nonprofit supporting individuals impacted by substance use disorder, managing community fundraising events.
Previously, she worked at Howard Area Community Center (now part of Metropolitan Family Services), and began her career in arts organizations at Intuit Art Museum and the Roger Brown Study Collection. Cat received her B.A. with Honors in Art History from McGill University, and serves on the Young Professionals Council of Misericordia.