What is the Hunger Awareness Day?
On June 5, 2007 communities across the country will remember more than 35 million Americans suffering from hunger or food insecurity by recognizing Hunger Awareness Day.  Hunger Awareness Day is a day of unity for everyone in the United States to come together and show their support for one of the most solvable social issues in this country—hunger relief.

The heart of Hunger Awareness Day is people coming together to help hungry Americans.  Whether it is advocating, raising awareness, sponsoring an event, participating in an event, or volunteering everyone can join us in fighting hunger in their communities.

How can you help end hunger in northern Illinois?
Think one person has the power to end hunger in America?  You certainly have a strong voice in helping hunger-relief organizations feed hungry people.  Your participation can directly help people across the country who may not know where their next meal will come from.

Each day, individuals make a difference by fighting hunger in their communities, and we need more people like you to join in this effort.  Below are some suggestions for how you and other individuals can participate in Hunger Awareness Day 2007. 

Click Here for a 1-page, printer friendly recap of
NIFB's Hunger Awareness Day events activities

Sharing The Bread
Interfaith Services To Raise Hunger Awareness
NIFB, along with faith leaders throughout the community, will join together to bring awareness to the community about the hunger epidemic in northern Illinois. Join NIFB and faith leaders for this powerfully spiritual event as faith leaders representing the world’s religions unite in one voice to help hungry neighbors.

Three interfaith services will be held:
Rockford - Friday, June 1, 2007 at 7:30 a.m.
Joliet - Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 6 p.m.
Freeport - Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Hunger Helpers
Friday, June 1 & Saturday, June 2
Volunteers from NIFB's local partner agencies will be stationed outside area grocery store entrances to solicit contributions on June 1 and June 2. Volunteers will be wearing NIFB aprons to identify themselves and will be stationed from 9 am to 5 pm. Support the fight against hunger with a generous donation. Participating grocers include Jewel-Osco, Logli's Supermarket, & Sullivan's Foods throughout northern Illinois.

Celebrating Community Nutrition in Lake County
On June 5, NIFB and Kraft Foods in Lake County are hosting a breakfast to mark the 10th anniversary of Kraft's involvement in community nutrition. Area leaders will come together to celebrate Kraft and its partners in feeding more people. The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. and will be held at 560 Old Skokie Road, Unit A, Park City, IL 60073. RSVP's required. For more details or to RSVP, contact the Lake County Branch at 847.336.3663, x. 12.

The Face of Hunger Will Surprise You - DuPage County
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 11 a.m.
Benedictine University - Krasa Center
5700 College Avenue, Lisle
NIFB & The People's Resource Center, in conjunction with the DuPage Hunger Network, will stage a dramatization of hunger need in DuPage County and show steps being taken to meet that need. Lunch is being provided, immediately following the program. This event is FREE and open to the public. To RSVP, call 630.443.6910.

The Face of Hunger Will Surprise You – Kankakee County
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 3 p.m.
Olivet Nazarene University - Weber Center
One University Drive, Bourbonnais
NIFB, in cooperation with its Kankakee County agency partners, will commemorate Hunger Awareness Day through a portrayal of “The Face of Hunger Will Surprise You” and show steps being taken to meet that need. At this Hunger Awareness Day observation, attendees can meet and talk with representatives from food assistance agencies in Kankakee County that are providing food to more than 12,402 hungry neighbors. Refreshments will be provided.

Bag Hunger
June 1 - June 30
Various businesses, including banks and retail stores, will be selling "hunger bags" for $1. Customers can sign their names to them and then have them displayed prominently to promote hunger awareness and commitment to community. Be sure to check back soon for a list of participating sites!

Skip Lunch Fridays in June
Employees from area businesses will commit to skipping lunch (or just in spirit) on a Friday of their choice during June 2007. Then, these individuals will donate $5 to NIFB; this donation represents the cost of lunch for that day and instead will go to feed a hungry neighbor. Companies are encouraged to get involved today! Click here for more information or call 630.443.6910 today!

Dine Out To Fight Hunger
General public is encouraged to dine out at different restaurants that will donate a percentage of total sales to NIFB. Check back soon for participating locations!

Advocate Today!
Get involved by contacting your legislators to encourage them to support measures to help your hungry neighbors in northern Illinois.

Click here for more information about upcoming issues and how you can help support your hungry neighbors.
Visit www.hungeractioncenter.org today to contact your legislators online.
 
As the Farm Bill is being reauthorized this year, it is important for all of us to contact our legislators to encourage them to support a strong Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is only reviewed one time every five years; this is the Federal legislation that provides funding to Federal food assistance programs such as the Food Stamps, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), WIC, the School Lunch Program, and much more! Click on either of the sample letters below. You can personalize these letters and send to the legislators.

Sample letter from a constituent

Sample letter from a food assistance organization or advocacy group

Raise Awareness Today!
Send an email to coworkers, classmates, friends and family on Hunger Awareness Day with a link to www.northernilfoodbank.org, remind them that there are people combating hunger in communities throughout northern Illinois.

Volunteer at NIFB Today!
YOU can get involved today! According to the Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer was calculated at $18.04 an hour in 2005. According to Northern Illinois Food Bank, the value of a volunteer is priceless! Click here to learn more about the volunteer opportunities at NIFB!

Interested in learning more?
St. Charles Headquarters - 630.443.6910
Lake County Branch - 847.336.3663
Rockford Branch - 815.961.7283
Joliet Office - 815.846.1041

Click here to learn about other events going on nationwide in observance of Hunger Awareness Day 2007.