NIFB Receives National Award for Express Stamps Program

At the recent Executive Director Conference in Atlanta, GA, Northern Illinois Food Bank received the Innovative Advocacy Campaign Award for its Express Stamps Program from America's Second Harvest.  This national award recognizes a member food bank for an outstanding campaign that demonstrates broad-based support among key audiences at the local level for a specific issue relating to hunger.  Express Stamps is a radical departure from the traditional food stamp application process as it takes the process to where people in need go for food - the food pantry.  Utilizing laptop computers that are connected to the Illinois DHS database, hungry people can apply remotely at the food pantry for Food Stamps and, if they qualify, receive a LINK card on the spot.  NIFB is proud to be recognized for its efforts in getting more food to hungry people.  Click here to learn how you can volunteer in this program!

NIFB Celebrates 25 Years at Annual Donor Dinner

On April 5, 2008, over 500 people came together to celebrate Northern Illinois Food Bank's 25th Anniversary at the annual Donor Appreciation Dinner presented by Jewel-Osco, the Benefactor Sponsor.  In honor of its silver anniversary, the Food Bank recognized "25 Special Partners" for their work in teaming up to fight hunger by providing them with framed NIFB football jerseys.  None other than Dan Hampton, Bears' Hall of Famer, kicked off the program with a rousing speech on the importance of teamwork.  This annual dinner serves as the Food Bank's largest fundraiser and more than 40 companies came together to raise over $200,000 for the hungry.  This outpouring of support will translate into more than 1,644,000 pounds of food for our hungry neighbors!  Click here to read more about this amazing event!

Faces of Hunger:  Birthday Wish

The face of hunger can often be surprising to many people, especially when the people affected by hunger are children.  In the area served by the Northern Illinois Food Bank, there are nearly 100,000 children living in poverty.  Hunger is an everyday reality for them.  These children do not take food for granted.  Northern Illinois Food Bank sees this reality everyday.  For one little boy, all he wanted for his birthday was a cake.  Click here to learn more about his story.

NIFB Receives National Honor For Food Rescue & Recovery Program

At the recent America's Second Harvest National Conference in Vail, CO, Food Banks from around the country came together to honor fellow organizations who lead the pack with innovative programs.  NIFB is pleased to announce that its Food Rescue & Recovery Program was recognized as the Food Sourcing Model Program of the Year.  This outstanding program redirects perishable food, such as produce, bread, and meat, from being thrown away at area grocery stores and gets it to hungry people.  Last year alone, the program saved nearly 2.5 million pounds of food including over 1.5 million pounds of meat from the dumpster.  Click here to learn more about the Food Rescue & Recovery Program.

Foster's Wine Estates Promotion

May 1 - May 31

For every bottle of wine purchased at a Jewel-Osco store of Little Penguin, Lindeman's, Gabbiano, and Stone Cellars by Beringer, Foster's will donate $1 to Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  Up to $25,000 will be donated and split evenly between the food banks.

Click here to view the flyer!

Hunger Helpers Weekend

May 16 - May 17

Volunteers from the Food Bank's partner agencies will be stationed outside area grocery stores to collect money to feed hungry neighbors.

Click here for participating stores!

Panera Breads Cereal Food Drive

June 21

Bring in a box to any Panera Breads location on this day and receive a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich.

Details coming soon.

Volunteer Opportunities - Ongoing. New opportunities listed regularly! Click here to see NIFB's volunteer opportunities!

Call 630.443.6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org today for more details on how you can get involved in raising hunger awareness, food and funds for the fight against hunger in northern Illinois!