Grecian Delight Joins Philanthropic Initiative for Hunger Relief in Chicago

Grecian Delight, a manufacturer and marketer of top quality Greek and Mediterranean foods, has joined hunger relief efforts that became especially crucial as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Chicago area.

In April, the company, which was founded in 1974 by Peter Parthenis, Sr. and is still family held and operated by the Parthenis family, donated 25,000 pounds of food to The Salvation Army, Operation Blessing International and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Most recently, it contributed to the Metropolis Humanitarian Food programs to deliver over four tons of food to neighborhoods affected by COVID-19 and unrest in the city.

“Because we live in challenging and uncertain times, what we need above all else is leadership grounded in service to the other,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.

“We are grateful to those who contributed to our Metropolis Humanitarian Food programs, most notably Peter Parthenis, Jr., CEO of Grecian Delight and Chris Wright, CEO of Shepard Medical Products. Their examples inspire us all to step up and serve our broader communities at a moment in time when such action is sorely needed,” he added.

In a letter addressed to Parthenis, Jr. on June 29, the Metropolitan said that “the pandemic has provided us with unique opportunities to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and to overcome fear of the unknown… Grecian Delights philanthropy exemplifies our Christian Orthodox values and it serves as a much-needed example of authentic leadership within our Greek-American community.”

Members and staff of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) joined Metropolitan Nathanael at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and packaged the donated food, which they then transported on trucks to the CREDMADE warehouse, where it was immediately distributed to community partners.

“We are proud to stand with the Metropolis of Chicago and Chicago Cred,” said Alexi Giannoulias, the Chairman of HALC.

“We need to do more than declare our values, we must live them. And through the leadership of His Eminence, Peter Parthenis, Jr., Chris Wright and everyone involved, we have a chance to live up to the true meaning of the Greek word philanthropy and show love to our fellow Chicagoans.”