The Horizon Award is a special honor presented each year in recognition of an organization, foundation, or individual providing Northern Illinois Food Bank with a gift surpassing food or financial support. It is an honor reserved for those demonstrating a committed vision that helps to expand NIFB’s capacity to serve our community members in need.

This year, Northern Illinois Food Bank is pleased to present the Horizon Award to BP. BP is focused on providing energy for heat, light and mobility in more than 100 countries where it operates, and also engages in Chicagoland and other communities that its employees call home. A number of employees who work in BP’s offices in Warrenville have been supporting NIFB for the past several years. In 2005, NIFB was nominated as “Charity of Choice” by BP’s Oil Americas Integrated Supply and Trading team. Through the efforts of BP employees, NIFB benefited from almost 1,000 hours of volunteer time in 2005 and nearly $10,000 from BP Foundation’s Employee Matching Fund. In addition, BP employees held a two-week long food drive and helped assemble many of the Holiday Meal Boxes that were distributed to hungry families that year. Every can they touched, every box they packed, helped NIFB provide dignity to those in need. BP’s volunteer efforts in time and money truly made a significant impact.

Last August, BP employees initiated a donor-sponsored event to help raise funds and awareness surrounding hunger. Tamarack Golf Club was the setting of the 1st Annual Charity Golf Outing on behalf of the food bank. BP’s staff and vendors supported the event by providing substantial sponsorship monies and joining us on the green for the day. This simple event, hosted by a BP employee volunteer committee in Warrenville, raised more than $31,000 to help fight hunger.

BP is dedicated to being a part of the fabric of communities where it operates. BP employees and retirees contribute personal time and money to improve the quality of life for residents of our community.

Northern Illinois Food Bank extends deep appreciation to BP for the variety of ways they give back to the community. It is our honor to recognize BP’s generosity and willingness to help make a difference with the presentation of the Horizon Award.

Click here to learn more about BP and view their website.