How We Work

NIFB distributes donated, government, and purchased food through a network of over 600 nonprofit food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other food assistance sites. Through financial support from individuals, retailers, manufacturers, corporations, and community resources, NIFB is able to reach 61,600 different people each week.

NIFB is the single most important source of food for our partner agencies, accounting for 70% of all food provided to feed hungry people directly. NIFB agency partners order food from a shopping list that is updated daily. NIFB makes this food available to agencies at the lowest cost possible with easy accessibility by soliciting food donations, maintaining efficient warehouse and delivery operations, and having support from volunteers. For example, much of the food acquired by the food bank is in trailer loads that are much too large for a food pantry or other agency to accept independently. The food is brought to the food bank, broken into smaller units, stored, and made available to agency partners in a form they can give to hungry people. Some products need to be inspected and sorted before being ready for distribution. Agencies contribute a shared maintenance fee for ordered food that is a few cents per pound to cover transportation, storage costs, and some processing expenses for the food. NIFB gives partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and group homes a means to stretch their food dollars.

Working with our partner agencies, donors and community resources, NIFB sponsors a number of programs in addition to our regular food banking program that help feed hungry people. Programs offered include Child Nutrition Programs (summer lunch, after-school snacks, food-filled backpacks, and evening meals to low-income children), Holiday Meal Boxes, Food Rescue and Recovery, the Emergency Food Program, and the Mobile Pantry.

Northern Illinois Food Bank does more than just provide food to hungry people. We are also about giving back to the community and being a part of the solution to end hunger. NIFB provides education to public officials, community groups, social service provides, and others about the existence of poverty and hunger; advocates for public policies and funding to alleviate hunger; and conducts extensive outreach work to ensure that people in need of food receive assistance. Ending hunger won’t happen overnight; nor will it happen if NIFB works alone.