Sonia Garcia
2025-2026 University of Chicago Scholar
Chicago, IL
Manager of Benefits Outreach, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Supporting high-need communities by expanding access to food and public benefits through policy, outreach, and systems-level change
Sonia Garcia is the manager of benefits outreach at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a nonprofit food bank addressing hunger through food distribution, public benefits outreach, advocacy, and community partnerships. Sonia leads the SNAP and Medicaid outreach team efforts to reduce barriers to food and healthcare access and is focused on closing the SNAP gap in Cook County, where tens of thousands of eligible individuals remain unenrolled in benefits. As she expands her leadership role, she is focused on shaping the organization's benefits outreach strategy to reduce food insecurity, and she intends to utilize the Scholars program to strengthen her systems thinking and policy expertise to refine a county-wide plan to increase SNAP participation.
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More About the Scholars Program
More About the Scholars Program
The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.
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