Food Bank Partner: Northern Illinois Food Bank

About: The Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) leads its community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Started in 1983 with the idea to feed the community, they have thrived ever since, feeding 71,000 people in 13 counties through their 800 partners as of last year. Remarkably, they’ve figured out how to stretch a $1 donation to purchase $8 worth of groceries. Their fight to end hunger is rooted in being a helping hand for their neighborhood.

Backpack Program: NIFB has a backpack program that helps to put backpacks full of nutritious meals into the hands of children every Friday for a weekend of meals.

Education: By hosting multiple events, from the Foodie 5K to A Taste That Matters, Culinary event, the NIFB brings awareness to the importance of finding different ways to end hunger. The NIFB also partner’s with local senior housing units to provide monthly meals while keeping dietary needs in mind through the Senior Food Program.

More about our impact with the Northern Illinois Food Bank.