Newsletter

A Time of Challenge — and New Opportunity

At Northern Illinois Food Bank, we’re honored to be a trusted source of food and hope, thanks to strong public and private partnerships.

Many of you have asked how recent federal cuts are impacting our work. The reality is sobering: we’re anticipating a 42% reduction in government resources (both food and funding) which translates to a nearly $4 million shortfall next fiscal year as we strive to meet current demand.

And, as this newsletter goes to press, Congress is debating cuts to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. When families lose SNAP benefits, they turn to us. We are already seeing an increased need and we anticipate demand could surge.

While we remain committed to advocating for strong public partnerships, it’s clear that community support, from individuals such as you, is more important than ever.

That’s why I’m especially pleased to welcome Colleen Ahearn as our new Chief Philanthropy Officer. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership, including her most recent role as VP of Advancement at Lewis University, Colleen brings deep experience and a strong heart for service to this critical work.

No matter the challenges, Northern Illinois Food Bank remains steadfast in our mission. In this issue of The Full Plate, you can read about the incredible impact your partnership has on neighbors of all ages. We know this work is possible because of you. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Julie Yurko, President & CEO

Help Us Solve Summer Hunger

Meet Our Neighbors: Saul and His Family

Meet our neighbor, Saul. He’s a father of 6, who brought his children to one of our summer programs in Aurora. Like many families in Northern Illinois, Saul faces the challenges of increasing food prices and a high cost of living. Summer child nutrition programs help his family during summer vacations when school lunch programs aren’t available.

Saul isn’t alone: The Food Research and Action Center reports that the kids who receive free or reduced-price lunches at school are at risk of hunger during the summer. Our summer programs ensure that healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are available to kids and their families.

This summer, Northern Illinois Food Bank will feed more than 7,000 children and teens a day. [learn more]

How You Can Help

Virtual Food Drives are a fun, flexible way to support Northern Illinois Food Bank’s nearly 150 summer feeding sites by rallying friends, family, and coworkers to give online. Unlike traditional food drives, Virtual Food Drives raise funds, allowing the Food Bank to purchase exactly the food our neighbors need—and your donation can go up to 8 times further thanks to our buying power.

Getting started is easy—and totally customizable. You can:

  • Celebrate a birthday or milestone
  • Launch a friendly competition at work
  • Host a fitness or creative challenge
  • Invite your network to join you in making an impact

You’ll be in great company—this summer join a student cycling 100+ miles, a singer releasing daily songs, a karate studio fighting for change, and coworkers teaming up for summer fun.

Start a Virtual Food Drive

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Meet Rob

At a recent Mobile Market distribution in Woodstock, Rob stood in line—not for himself, but for several families he supports through the daycare he’s helped run for the past 12 years.

Rob has long been someone his neighbors can count on. When he noticed that some daycare families were having trouble putting food on the table, he didn’t wait for someone else to step in. Instead, he began picking up groceries for eight families with children in the program. [continue reading]

Make a real difference this summer—
volunteer with us!

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year at Northern Illinois Food Bank, and we can’t meet the need without our passionate and dedicated volunteers.

Come solo, bring a friend, gather your family, or rally your coworkers—everyone is welcome, and every hour counts!

Ready to help? Visit SolveHungerToday.org/Volunteer to sign up.


Volunteer Locations:

  • Rockford: 1397 Sandy Hollow Road
  • Joliet: 171 South Larkin Avenue
  • Lake Forest: 13950 West Business Center Drive
  • Geneva: 273 Dearborn Court
  • Mobile Markets across 13 counties (locations vary)

Where Generosity Meets Strategy: The Christopher Family Foundation

Jay and Doris Christopher built their lives—and their business—on the belief that food brings people together. In 1980 they founded Pampered Chef, which grew from a home-based startup into a nationally recognized brand built around high-quality kitchen tools and the joy of cooking and connection.

As the Christophers’ business success expanded, so did their desire to give back. In 1997, they established The Christopher Family Foundation, a family-led philanthropic organization with a mission to support education, employment, entrepreneurship, and food access. [continue reading]

Great Lakes Credit Union Volunteers Make a Big Impact

Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) truly lives out the people helping people philosophy through active outreach in the communities it serves. In 2024 alone, GLCU team members volunteered more than 150 hours at Northern Illinois Food Bank, helping ensure families have access to the food they need to thrive. [continue reading]

That’s Caring Gives Back

Northern Illinois Food Bank relies on generous community and corporate partners to help us meet the growing need for food in our region. In this issue, we’re proud to highlight a longtime partner that has woven giving back into the heart of their business model: That’s Caring. [continue reading]

“Together, we’re not just giving gifts—we’re giving hope.”

Planning Your Legacy:
Insights from a Trusted Advisor

When it comes to ensuring your charitable values live on, planned giving can be one of the most meaningful ways to leave a legacy. That’s why we invited Brian Lampsa, a seasoned wealth advisor and longtime friend of Northern Illinois Food Bank, to share his perspective on how donor advised funds (DAFs) can be used to support our mission—both now and in the future.

Brian is Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor with True North Retirement Partners of Raymond James and has served on the Northern Illinois Food Bank Planned Giving Advisory Council since it launched in 2019. Brian and his wife Carla have also been dedicated supporters of the Food Bank since 2013.

In the article below, Brian offers practical guidance on how to align your philanthropic goals with your financial plans, ensuring your legacy continues to provide nourishment, dignity, and hope for years to come.

Any opinions are those of Brian Lampsa and not necessarily those of Raymond James. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Raymond James is not affiliated with Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Final Grants to Northern Illinois Food Bank

One option is to provide instructions for final grants to be made to Northern Illinois Food Bank. By designating the Food Bank as recipient for the remaining funds, this offers a clear and direct way to fulfill your philanthropic goals, ensuring that Northern Illinois Food Bank continues to receive vital support even after you’re gone.

Establishing Recurring Grants

For those who wish to create a lasting legacy, establishing a program of recurring grants is an excellent choice. This ensures that your support remains consistent and impactful, providing ongoing benefits to the Food Bank and helping to sustain its mission of feeding neighbors in our community

Naming Successor Advisors

These individuals, often family members, are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the DAF and recommending grants to charities. With this option, you will want to be clear to your successor about how you want the money to be donated and on what schedule. Involving your successor advisor with the Food Bank now is a great way for them to understand your wishes! DAF providers have different methods for updating your final grant instructions, so it is essential you review those instructions periodically to ensure they meet your current needs.

Every legacy begins with a conversation. Contact Gina at 630-443-6910 x0130 to learn how you can support Northern Illinois Food Bank through a planned gift.

Fox Valley Marathon Races

September 21, 2025 | St. Charles, IL

Attention runners and walkers! Northern Illinois Food Bank is putting together a team for the Fox
Valley Marathon Races… and we’d like you to join!
Whether you’re doing the 5K, half marathon, 20-miler, or full marathon – you’ll receive great perks
when you fundraise as one of our Charity Hero Runners…

  • Free entry into the race length of your choice and a team training t-shirt
  • Access to a virtual training program with Coach Seth Kopf
  • All race day amenities, including massages and snacks, and an amazing cheer team
Register before July 31!

Learn MoreOther Upcoming Events