Our Stories

ABC7 Chicago’s annual Feed the Love campaign covered the Food Bank’s senior mobile program and talked to neighbors. Watch Story

Laura Diaz inspects the shelves Friday morning at the Pan de Vida Midway Pantry, picking up pasta, grapes, cereal and a turkey — food she’ll use partially to fill out her Thanksgiving dinner. She’s planning a large family get-together for the holiday, and every little bit helps, she said. (continue reading)

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is celebrating a milestone.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the nonprofit’s Holiday Meal Box program. Volunteers at the food bank’s Geneva headquarters, and at its centers in Lake Forest, Joliet and Rockford, will evaluate, sort and pack 50,000 boxes of traditional holiday meal trimmings sufficient to feed a family of six to eight people. (continue reading)

WGN’s Lou Manfredini interviews Julie Yurko (listen here)

GENEVA, IL (October 17, 2024)—Today, Northern Illinois Food Bank hosted a press
conference at the Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago, featuring elected officials
and community leaders, to highlight the alarming issue of food insecurity affecting active duty military families. The event aimed to address barriers that prevent service members from qualifying for vital assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program) and to propose legislative changes to alleviate this crisis. (continue reading)

Tens of thousands of runners are expected to wind their way through downtown for Sunday’s Chicago Marathon.

Many of the participants will be running for important causes, including a local food bank working to feed those in need.James Kennedy and Mike Keane are getting ready to run more than 26 miles to support the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which is not an easy task. They are motivated by the memory of Sharon Kennedy, Kennedy’s mother and Keane’s friend, who passed away in December from ovarian cancer.

“It’s been hard,” Kennedy said. “Losing somebody that was one of the loves of my life. It was hard on everybody.” (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (October 11, 2024) – Northern Illinois Food Bank is marking 25 years of its Holiday Meal Box program, ensuring all neighbors can enjoy a special holiday meal with their loved ones. This year, thanks to the generous support of sponsors and volunteers, the Food Bank will be providing 50,000 Holiday Meal Boxes to neighbors facing hunger across 13 counties in rural and suburban Northern Illinois.  (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (September 6, 2024) – This September, Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leading hunger relief organization in Northern Illinois will recognize Hunger Action Month with several initiatives to educate the public about the issue of hunger and opportunities to take action. (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (August 27, 2024) – Today, Northern Illinois Food Bank announced exciting updates regarding the relocation and expansion of its Northwest center in Rockford, in a press conference attended by Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman. The event marked the introduction of the future home of the Northern Illinois Food Bank Northwest Center, set to relocate to a new and expanded facility at the former K-Mart site at 1397 Sandy Hollow Road, Rockford, IL later this year. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (June 24, 2024) – Northern Illinois Food Bank is thrilled to announce the 12th annual “A Taste That Matters” event, presented by Jewel-Osco, raised more than $446,500 which translates into over $3.5 million in essential resources for neighbors facing hunger.  (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (May 20, 2024) – Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leading charitable food
organization in Northern Illinois and member of the Feeding America Network, announces
Julie Yurko, president and CEO is marking 15 years of dedication and leadership in the fight
against hunger, and 10 years as CEO. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (February 14, 2024) – Northern Illinois Food Bank announces the 11th Annual Fight Hunger 5K Run, presented by Glanbia Performance Nutrition, will be on April 27 at a new location, Oak Brook Reserve and Park District in Oak Brook, IL. Over 1,200 participants, volunteers, sponsors and spectators will come together for a good cause – to help solve hunger in Northern Illinois. (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (February 9, 2024) – In response to the heartbreaking natural disaster in San Diego, Northern Illinois Food Bank shipped a full semi-truckload with 1,000 ALDI Disaster Relief Boxes to Feeding San Diego to help neighbors facing hunger. Each box includes dry good products rich in proteins and nutritious food that could easily be prepared in natural disaster areas by neighbors who do not have access to boiling water or a kitchen. (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (November 13, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leading hunger relief
organization serving 13 counties in rural and suburban Northern Illinois, and DoorDash
celebrated 100,000 deliveries of charitable food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, as a part of Northern Illinois Food Bank’s partnership with DoorDash’s Project DASH. (continue reading)

GENEVA, IL (November 8, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank kicks off the season of giving with its 24^th annual Holiday Meal Box program to ensure all neighbors can enjoy a special holiday meal with their loved ones.  This year, with the support of generous sponsors and volunteers, the Food Bank will be providing 50,000 Holiday Meal Boxes to neighbors facing hunger across 13 counties in suburban and rural Northern Illinois. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (October 20, 2023) – Communities throughout Northern Illinois helped to raise $192,266 for local families facing hunger during the 10th annual Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change.
campaign. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (August 31, 2023) – This September, Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leading hunger relief organization serving 13 counties in rural and suburban Northern Illinois and member of the Feeding America Network, will recognize Hunger Action Month with several initiatives to educate the public
about the issue of hunger and ways to get involved. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (August 30, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank’s 25th Annual Northern Illinois Food Bank Hunger Scramble, presented by Old Second National Bank, drew more than 220 golfers and raised over
$150,000 for hunger relief in Northern Illinois. This year, the Food Bank’s signature fundraiser was held at a new location, White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville, IL. Participants enjoyed a fun outdoor scramble style round of golf with on-course tastings, giveaways, and un games on a beautiful course. (continue reading)

CHICAGO (WLS) — Relief shipments are pouring into Maui from around the country, including the Chicago area, and are expected to continue for weeks, if not months. (watch story)

Geneva, IL (June 30, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank is pleased to announce the 11th annual A Taste That Matters fundraiser and culinary event, presented by Jewel-Osco, raised more than $375,000. Northern Illinois Food Bank provides 80 million meals a year to neighbors throughout 13 counties throughout suburban and rural Northern Illinois. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Food Bank’s network of 900 food pantries, soup kitchens and feeding programs. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (June 19, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank announced today it received a grant from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic of arm of Bayer in the U.S. This grant will be used towards building a better future by supporting Northern Illinois Food Bank’s My Pantry Express program. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (April 7, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank’s 10th Annual Fight Hunger 5K/10K race, presented by Glanbia Performance Nutrition, returns on April 22 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. Over 1,200 participants, volunteers, sponsors and spectators will come together for a good cause – to help solve hunger in Northern Illinois.  (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (March 9, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank and its Executive Women’s Council are pleased to announce the 8th Annual “A Cup of Hope” fundraiser, presented by Nicor Gas, raised a record $208,000 to enhance hunger relief initiatives and help to provide fresh, nutritious food so children across Northern Illinois can thrive.  (continue reading)

Northern Illinois Food Bank and its Executive Women’s Council announce the 8th Annual “A Cup of Hope” afternoon tea is back in person after two years of being virtual.  The highly anticipated “Mad Hatter” themed event will be held on March 5, 2023 from 1:30 – 4:00 PM, at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn. The event will be emceed by Emmy award winning journalist, Judy Hsu of ABC7 News and will feature the magic of Scott Piner, an entertainer known for his engaging blend of humor and interactive performance. Nicor Gas is returning as the event’s presenting sponsor. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (February 13, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) is marking their 40^th anniversary of solving hunger and empowering neighbors throughout Northern Illinois. Over 100 staff kicked-off a year-long dedication with a volunteer shift and 80’s theme reception at the Food Bank’s West Suburban Center in Geneva. To honor the milestone, a bold new logo, brand refresh and 40^th anniversary legacy website page was launched at SolveHungerToday.org. (continue reading)

Geneva, IL (January 23, 2022) – Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) announced today the launch of Vivery, an innovative platform and digital Food Finder map helping neighbors experiencing food insecurity connect with vital food resources in their community and surrounding areas. The new mobile-friendly map increases access to the fresh and nutritious food neighbors need to thrive.   (continue reading)