For over twenty years, Jewel-Osco has been Northern Illinois Food Bank's dedicated partner in feeding hungry people in our communities. Donated food is the most easily measured form of support, but Jewel-Osco's contribution reaches far beyond the 10 million pounds of food they have donated in the last five years. Be it food, financial donations, or volunteers, Jewel-Osco never stops giving.

Jewel-Osco constantly explores new ways to support the community. This past summer, Jewel-Osco and Northern Illinois Food Bank partnered in an initiative called Fresh Rescue that allows the Food Bank to pick up thousands of pounds of beef, poultry, pork, and seafood daily at Jewel-Osco stores and then deliver this valuable source of protein directly to agencies that prepare on-site meals for the hungry. An even larger portion of this protein is brought back to the food bank and offered to all people the Food Bank serves through its food pantry network in 13 counties. Jewel-Osco continues to help Northern Illinois Food Bank end hunger one meal at a time.

In addition, hundreds of committed and passionate Jewel-Osco employees generously give their time and talent. In 2004 alone, Jewel-Osco employees volunteered well over 1,000 hours at the Food Bank. Jewel-Osco employees support hunger-awareness events and participate in many volunteer activities. They serve on the Board of Directors, volunteer on the Food Rescue and Recovery truck, work in the warehouse, sort food in the processing room, and assemble Holiday Meal Boxes.

Jewel-Osco is also a great partner and supporter of Hunger Helpers Weekends that raise both funds and hunger awareness at Jewel-Osco locations throughout the area.

The longevity, breadth, and dependability of Jewel-Osco's support of the Food Bank demonstrate its dedication to fighting hunger. With strong commitment at the corporate level and enthusiastic support in local stores, Jewel-Osco continues to demonstrate its ever-growing willingness to work with Northern Illinois Food Bank to fight hunger.

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