A Simple Truth
In my years with Northern Illinois Food Bank, I’ve heard many misconceptions about food pantries and the neighbors who visit our food pantry network.
Many people think food pantries create dependence: that once someone visits a food pantry, they’ll rely on it forever. Others think all food pantry visitors are chronically unemployed and have been struggling for years.
The reality is that the majority of our guests are employed, and some are working multiple jobs. However, those jobs may have low wages and no benefits. Any setback, such as a car repair, medical expense, rent increase, reduced hours, or childcare cost, can temporarily tip a family into food insecurity. Most guests only use the food pantry for a period of weeks or months to bridge the gap during a di fficult time. They’re eager to get back on their feet again.
Because food insecurity is driven by structural issues such as housing costs, healthcare expenses, and wage stagnation, we see many neighbors come to us for the first time during times of economic change in their lives. Most never expected to need assistance.
Food pantries allow our neighbors to retain their dignity and prevent a setback from turning into a crisis. Far from creating dependence, they’re instruments of resilience for our guests. Food pantries are a bridge our community builds together over the systemic gaps in our society, the barriers that prevent people from thriving. I’m grateful that you’re helping to build the bridge!
Julie Yurko
President & CEO
BRIDGING THE GAP TO FOOD EQUITY
Volunteers Multiply Your Impact:
$104,500 SPRING MATCH!
People volunteer for many different reasons, but a shared commitment to the community connects them. For these individuals, their time at the Food Bank inspired them to help extend the generosity of others through a matching gift.
MEET AICHA
Like many people facing food insecurity, Aicha is working. As grocery prices have risen, it’s been hard to stretch her budget to cover the fresh foods her family needs to thrive.
She needed help from a food pantry to tide her over, but, “It was hard to get there,” she says. “Sometimes I didn’t have time during open hours, and when our car broke down, transportation became a huge challenge.” Then Aicha discovered My Pantry Express.
“Food comes right to our door,” Aicha rejoices. “It’s made a huge difference. Not only do we have enough to eat, but I’ve also been able to save money for bills, our mortgage, and eventually to buy a different car. To everyone who makes My Pantry Express and Project DASH possible, thank you. You’re giving us the chance to build a better life.”
Through community support, we can design programs that meet neighbors like Aicha where they are.
HELPING HIS COMMUNITY THROUGH A HARD TIME
When we come together as volunteers, donors, partners, and advocates, we can build sturdy pathways toward stability. And sometimes, it starts with one person’s determination to be the bridge.
In March 2023, the Chrysler Assembly Plant in Belvidere closed. More than 1,200 Boone County neighbors were left without jobs, income, or benefits.
Stacy Dahle, an assembly line worker, member of United Auto Workers 1268, lost his job as well. Stacy had been volunteering at Northern Illinois Food Bank distributions at City First Church in Rockford. He wondered: Could the Food Bank help his laid-off coworkers? Stacy reached out to us, and within weeks, the union hall was hosting a monthly food distribution.
The distribution was such a success that the doors were opened to the rest of the community affected by the plant closure. Union members served as volunteers, and other community organizations stepped up to help, including United Way and the local Trail Life troop.
The Chrysler plant is due to reopen in 2028, bringing jobs back to the community. In the meantime, monthly food distributions have been a lifeline.
Hard times bring communities together, and the Food Bank is here to help bridge the gap until circumstances improve.
“Seeing everybody come together for the people of Boone County, it’s been a blessing for me. Your generosity is truly changing lives… and giving hope!” Stacy told us.
MEET STACY
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE: PROTECTING RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE
Building an equitable food system includes considering our impact on the world we leave for our children and grandchildren. The Food Bank’s commitment to food recovery, waste reduction, and innovative distribution models helps us build bridges to the future.
Maintaining our high standards means some of the food we receive can’t be distributed. We’re able to process much of that through partnerships with sustainable, environmentally responsible outlets.
In fiscal year 2025, 56.17% of all food and non-food waste was redirected to partners like Green Era in Chicago, which recycles canned foods and other items. Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport received 22,500 pounds of protein not suitable for humans.
By redirecting food waste instead of sending it to a landfill, the Food Bank avoided roughly 400 tons of CO2 emissions over the last year and a half. For context, that’s similar to the annual emissions of about 85–90 gas cars.
Delta Dental
Thousands of kids participating in our Backpack Program got an extra surprise, thanks to our partners at Delta Dental of Illinois. Our Backpack Program provides bags filled with about 13 pounds of shelf-stable food items to take home on weekends.
Allstate
WE LOVE BEING “IN GOOD HANDS!” Volunteer teams from Allstate are among the many corporate groups that join us throughout the year, providing “helping hands” to ensure our neighbors have consistent access to nutritious food.
Vai’s & Entourage
Last fall, Vai’s Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar, Entourage Naperville, and Entourage Downers Grove teamed up to make a di fference in our community. Together, these three locally owned restaurants launched a special cocktail promotion.
DEDICATED TO KEEPING THEIR COMMUNITY HEALTHY
Bob and Pam Blondin were first invited to volunteer at the Food Bank in 2014. They’ve been volunteers and donors ever since. As volunteers, the couple saw up close how efficient and
transparent the Food Bank is. That’s what inspired them to be financial supporters, too. (Read More)
