Northern Illinois Food Bank hosted its Ninth Annual Donor Appreciation Dinner - Celebrating 25 Years of Feeding Hope - at Bobak's Signature Events at Seven Bridges in Woodridge. The special event marked the official celebration of Northern Illinois Food Bank's 25th Anniversary.  In honor of this achievement, the Food Bank recognized "25 Special Partners" who have been instrumental in helping NIFB grow into the organization it is today.  For the second straight year, Jewel-Osco was the benefactor sponsor.

Dan Hampton, retired Chicago Bears defensive tackle and 2002 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, made a special celebrity-guest appearance and kicked off the recognition program with a rousing speech on teamwork.  Just like the '82 Bears, Northern Illinois Food Bank and its partners work tirelessly to build a championship team in the fight against hunger.  In honor of their dedicated service, each of the 25 Partners received a framed NIFB football jersey with the number "25".
 

25 Special Partners

America's Second Harvest             Panera Bread

AT&T Pioneers                              Margaret Patterson

Pat Bond                                      Rockford Orthopedic Assoc.

Dominick's                                   Sara Lee

General Mills                                Sodexo

George Weston Bakeries               The Pampered Chef

Mary Hayes                                  Thing 1 2 3 Foundation

Jewel-Osco                                   UPS

Larry Keller                                  Veolia Environmental Services

Kraft Foods                                   West Suburban Bank

Chuck Little                                  Bob Williams

McCormick Tribune                       Woodward Governor Co.

Oberweis Dairy

Special thanks to 89th District State Representative Jim Sacia for his auctioneer skills, humor, and entertainment during the live auction portion of the evening!

NIFB extends its most sincere thanks to the following for their help in planning the 2008 event:
Nancy Chagares, Jewel-Osco
Doug Cygan, Jewel-Osco
Jeff Peszek, Jewel-Osco
Juanita Kocanda, Jewel-Osco
Chuck Little, Trux, Unlimited
Pat Bush

Joy Smith

NIFB Sends A Special Thank You to the 2008 Event Chair:
Keith Nielsen, Jewel-Osco

NIFB also sends special thanks to:
Flowers & Gift Baskets by Jewel-Osco
Barb Oborne for providing the table wine

Champagne provided by Commercial Packaging
Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing, & Crown Imports for generously providing beer at the event
Foster's Wine Estates, Future Brands LLC, and Sidney Frank Importing Co. for donation of products to the bar.

Sara Lee Corporation for donation of dessert and tea

Dahlstrom Displays, Inc. for event signage and displays

Blooze Brother Band for live entertainment

For more information on NIFB's efforts in the fight against hunger, contact NIFB today at 630.443.6910 or by emailing hunger@northernilfoodbank.org for more details.