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Volunteer Nadine, I love people!

Meet Nadine, a spirited presence at Winnebago Community Market (WCM), whose dedication and enthusiasm infuse this community with joy and energy. “I love people; I love keeping busy and trying to stay young,” Nadine says with a smile. Introduced to the WCM by her granddaughter, Nadine has been volunteering for about 18 months. “My granddaughter […]

Apr 20, 2024

Neighbor Cliff, The Spirit of the Community

We met with Clifford at the Salvation Army food pantry in Kankakee, Illinois, to talk about the challenges his family has faced and the positive role the food and healthy eating services provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank have played in their life. “With what I make, I could never afford to get the […]

Mar 22, 2024

Celebrating 1,000 Online Orders with OrderAhead!

OrderAhead (OA) is an online ordering tool from Feeding America. Four agencies (St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Neighbor Food Pantries – Family in Faith Church Food Pantry, Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, and H.E.A.L. Riverwalk Food Pantry) have started their distributions using the OA website. Their programs were developed with the support of the Northern […]

Mar 14, 2024

In the News

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)

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Press Releases

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 24th 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 (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)

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)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northern Illinois Food Bank Announces 8th Annual A Cup of Hope Fundraiser Hosted by Executive Women’s Council

Guests will enjoy an afternoon filled with tea, entertainment, raffle, auction and more!

Geneva, IL (February 16, 2023) – 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)

Northern Illinois Food Bank Marks 40 Years of Solving Hunger and Empowering Neighbors

Bold new logo and brand refresh reflects neighbor-centric mission

 

Geneva, IL (February 13, 2023) – Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) is marking their 40th 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 40th anniversary legacy website page was launched at SolveHungerToday.org. (continue reading)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northern Illinois Food Bank Launches Innovative Food Finder Map to Help Connect Neighbors with Food Pantries and Programs

New digital tools increase access to food with easy to use features

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)

Archives

Geneva, IL – March 23, 2022 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7th Annual A Cup of Hope Raises $167,000 to Enhance Child Nutrition Programs.

Northern Illinois Food Bank and its Executive Women’s Council are proud to announce the 7th Annual A Cup of Hope raised $167,000 to enhance hunger relief initiatives and helping to provide fresh, nutritious food so children across Northern
Illinois can thrive. (continue reading)

(GENEVA, IL – March 2, 2022) – Northern Illinois Food Bank is pleased to announce it has received a $3,000 grant from the Stateline Community Foundation. These funds will be used to support the SOBO Food Pantry at Blackhawk Elementary School in South Beloit School District 320. (continue reading)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northern Illinois Food Bank Receives Grant from Highland Park Community Foundation (GENEVA, IL – Jan. 11, 2022) – Northern Illinois Food Bank is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Highland Park Community Foundation. These funds will be used to support the weekly Mobile Market distributions in Highwood. (continue reading)

OP-ED by Julie Yurko
Published by Chicago Tribune on Oct. 8, 2021

Breaking Down Barriers to Address Food Insecurity

On a recent Saturday morning, more than 300 cars lined up in a parking lot at Joliet Junior College awaiting volunteers with Northern Illinois Food Bank to load their vehicles with free groceries. While some visitors to the regularly scheduled pop-up market were familiar faces, many were families experiencing food insecurity for the first time. (continue reading)

1 Year Later, Covid-19 Still Devastating Communities in N. Illinois

(GENEVA, Ill., March 16, 2021) – One year after the pandemic was declared, Northern Illinois Food Bank is helping tens of thousands families each month get free, nutritious food. The demand is not waning. (continue reading)

(GENEVA, Ill., March 3, 2021) – For many, the New Year symbolizes a renewed start — a time of resolutions, commitments and change. For Northern Illinois Food Bank, 2021 marks the beginning of a five-year collaborative journey as the Food Bank unveils its new Strategic Plan: UNITE. (continue reading)

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