History

Background

Northern Illinois Food Bank began as a dream of Sister Rosemarie Burian who awoke one morning in 1982 with a very firm idea to open a center for the poor in DuPage County. In discussing with others food waste and redistributing this food where it was needed, the idea of opening a food bank in the suburbs of Chicago emerged. Originally called the Bethlehem Center, Sister Rosemarie realized her dream in May 1983 when the food bank made its first distribution. In its first full year of operation, 64,000 pounds of food were distributed through 80 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. From these modest beginnings, the Food Bank has grown to distribute more than 35 million pounds of food annually through over 600 partner agencies. Over the last 28 years, the food bank’s name has changed, its address has changed, and staff has changed; but the one thing that has remained consistent is that hungry people in our communities need help. Northern Illinois Food Bank started as a dream to help people in need. This has been the driving force of the organization and will continue to drive the Food Bank for years to come.

Timeline

1982 – Incorporated in November

1983 – Sister Rosemarie Burian signed a lease at 170 Easy Street in Carol Stream on January 12.  The 6,400 square foot warehouse and office space suited the Center’s needs

1983 – First distribution of food on April 28 to Family Shelter in Glen Ellyn totaling 288 pounds

1983 – Dedication of Bethlehem Center on May 7; 7,000 pounds of food distributed in first month

1984 – Over 64,000 lbs. of food distributed to 80 agencies in a ten county service area

1992 – Bethlehem Center Food Depository changed name to Bethlehem Center Food Bank

1994 – Became a Certified Affiliate of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network

1995 – Moved to 147,000 square foot warehouse facility in St. Charles

1996 – The Food bank distributes 6 million pounds of food to hungry neighbors in 13 counties

1999 – Youth Nutrition Program launched serving lunch to 50 kids per day during the summer

1999 –Mobile Pantry Program initiated to provide direct service to low-income areas

1999 – Holiday Meal Box Program kicked off in which about 3,500 meals were distributed to hungry families

2000 – Bethlehem Center Food Bank changed name to Northern Illinois Food Bank

2000 – Food Rescue Program began with Jewel-Osco to rescue nutritious, perishable foods from being discarded

2000 – 75,823 people were unemployed in the 13 counties served by NIFB

2001 – Lake County branch of NIFB opens in Park City in October with 9,600 feet of office and warehouse space

2001 – 21,035 different people received food assistance each week through the Food Bank’s network

2004 – Received America’s Second Harvest’s “Hunger’s Hope” award for Hunger Awareness activities

2005 – Hunger Connection Food Bank in Rockford becomes a center of NIFB with 23,000 square feet of space

2005 – The number of people in poverty reaches 260,308 people in the area served by the Food Bank

2007 – Volunteer program increased to 50,059 hours annually

2007 – Received Food Sourcing Model of the Year Award from America’s Second Harvest

2007 – Holiday Meal Box Program provided over 26,775 meals to families

2007 – The Mobile Pantry distributed more than 1.7 million pounds of food through 214 visits

2008 – Northern Illinois Food Bank’s 25th anniversary of Fighting Hunger and Feeding Hope

2008 – Received Innovative Advocacy Model of the Year Award from Feeding America

2008 – Saved 3.3 million pounds of food through the Food Recovery Program

2009 – Received Volunteer Group of the Year Award from Feeding America

2009 – The number of people unemployed in northern Illinois hits 235,328 people

2009 – Northern Illinois Food Bank delivered 27.2 million pounds of food

2010 – The Youth Nutrition Program provided over 1 million meals to kids

2010 – NIFB feeds more than 61,600 people each week

2010 – Received Food Bank of the Year Award from Feeding America; this is the fifth national award in six years

2011 – NIFB distributes 35 million pounds of food to more than a half million people in need

2011 – Poverty numbers surge to a record high of 339,481 people

2011 – NIFB moves into the new Community Nutrition and Food Distribution Center in Geneva