Give Hope by Helping Provide Holiday Meal Boxes to Families in Need
At Northern Illinois Food Bank, we’re all about community and connections made through food. We talk a lot about how memories are made at the table!
In our large and diverse community, with so many cultures and traditions, there are some wonderful customs we all share—like dining together with our loved ones and expressing gratitude for all we’ve been given.
But the year-end holidays can also be stressful, especially for our neighbors facing food insecurity. That’s why, back in 1999, our Holiday Meal Box program was born. We distributed 3,250 boxes that first year, thanks to our amazing donors and volunteers, and the program has been alive and growing ever since—this year we are preparing 50,000 Holiday Meal Boxes!
We’ve kept the tradition going because it means so much to the families we serve. It reduces their anxiety and gives them a chance to have a family dinner. It’s a chance to show families we care about them. Thanks for helping keep this local tradition going strong!
Sincerely,
Julie Yurko, President & CEO
A Simple, Joyful Thanksgiving
The kids and I make paper bag stuffed turkeys for decorations,” she says. “We take small paper bags, put stuffing in them, cut out drumstick shapes and glue them on. We put them on plates and that’s our centerpiece.” (read Katie’s Story)
This is Helping Us Build Our Way to be Stronger
When we met 19-year-old Ruslan and his family, they had only been in the United States for a
week after escaping the conflict in Ukraine. It was Ruslan, his mother, father, and little brother, and they told us, “We have never had to go to a food pantry before. But we have nothing.” (read more of Ruslan’s Story)
Fresh From the Farm – Thanks to You!
It may not be obvious in the cities and suburbs, but Illinois is a big farming state! About 72,000 farms produce a wide variety of crops, including many fruits and vegetables. The challenge is getting healthy produce to the families that need it most. That’s why we’re so grateful to be a part of Feeding Illinois, the association of eight food banks that serve the entire state. (read more)
Serving Those Who Served
Frank is a 73-year-old who proudly served his
country. These days, he gets by on Social Security,
and he feels like times are tough.
“You have to make difficult choices with inflation,”
he says. “I try to juggle all the bills but it’s rough.”
(read more about Serving Those Who Served)
Sylvia Wolfson wore a lot of hats during her long and active
life. She was a biologist, a wife, a stay-at-home mom to five
children, and an active volunteer. (read more of Sylvia’s Story)
