Contact: Elizabeth Gartman, Communications Manager, egartman@northernilfoodbank.org, 630-443-6910 ext. 142

Hunger Action Month returns for the 10th year this September

GENEVA, Ill., Aug 30, 2018 – Since 2008, September has been dubbed Hunger Action Month by Feeding America to educate the public about the issue of hunger and how they can get involved in helping solve hunger in their local communities. Northern Illinois Food Bank, along with more than 200 food banks across the country, is once again calling on the community to “Go Orange” throughout the month of September in recognition that no one should go hungry.

“Every day, we see the need in our communities,” said Julie Yurko, President and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank. “Even though the economy and job rates are improving in our communities, our neighbors in need still struggle to make ends meet. They often still face tough choices like whether to pay rent or their mortgage or put dinner on the table.”

Every year, a half a million people across Northern Illinois visit the Food Bank’s network of more than 800 food pantries, soup kitchens and feeding sites for groceries or a meal. Last year alone, Northern Illinois Food Bank distributed nearly 66 million meals to people in need across its 13-county service area through programs such as its Mobile Pantry, Senior Meal Box, Milk2MyPlate, After School and BackPack programs.

The Food Bank is teaming up with communities across Northern Illinois to host and participate in a number of events and initiatives throughout the month of September to celebrate Hunger Action Month. Be sure to check out our full calendar of Hunger Action Month events here and sign up today!

  • Go Orange & Get social – Thursday, September 13 is National “Go Orange” Day. Wear orange to help bring awareness to and support for hunger relief, and remember to share on social! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, and include hashtags #GoOrange and #ILHungerAction in your posts.
  • Volunteer or attend an event – With nearly daily events scheduled throughout the month, there are plenty of ways to get involved, including three Pack-A-Thon events: North Suburban Center in Park City (Sept. 7, 7am-5pm), South Suburban Center in Joliet (Sept. 21, 7am-5pm), and Northwest Center in Rockford (Sept. 28, 7am-5pm). To sign up for a shift, call (630) 443-6910, or check out our full list of Hunger Action Month events here.
  • Foodie 5K Romeoville – We are returning for the second year to Lewis University in Romeoville for our Foodie 5K on Saturday, September 15! Join runners, walkers and their families for a fun 5K run/walk, featuring a post-race festival including live entertainment, gourmet food trucks and a kid’s zone. Register today as a runner or volunteer at solvehungertoday.org/Foodie5k.
  • Donate or host an online food & fund drive – Fight hunger with just the click of a button, or with the help of your family and friends! Visit the Food Bank’s Virtual Food & Fund Drive page and help us solve hunger in Northern Illinois, where every $1 donated provides $8 of groceries.
  • Pass the Plate – Restaurants across our 13 counties are partnering with the Food Bank to “pass the plate” to help solve hunger in Northern Illinois. They will be raising awareness and funds for our hungry neighbors in a variety of ways including special Pass the Plate menu options, discounts for donations made to the Food Bank, raffle tickets, fun events, and more!

About Northern Illinois Food Bank

Northern Illinois Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is a non-profit organization that engages the community to solve hunger in Northern Illinois. Manufacturers, local groceries, corporations, foundations, and individuals come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to more than 800 partner feeding programs – the food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and youth and senior feeding programs that serve more than half a million people every year. Northern Illinois Food Bank has centers in Geneva (West Suburban Center), Park City (North Suburban Center) Rockford (Northwest Center), and Joliet (South Suburban Center). Find out how you can volunteer, donate or get involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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