Bowlers take aim at suburban hunger

Bowlers knocked over pins in an effort to help knock out hunger in the Northwest suburbs on Sunday as Mount Prospect-based Northwest Compass, Inc. hosted its inaugural Strike Out Hunger fundraiser at Arlington Lanes in Arlington Heights.

"We've been really seeing that there is a huge need in the Northwest suburbs with clients coming in need of our food," said Jessica Elbe, managing director at Northwest Compass.

"So we thought of a bowling fundraiser to best serve our own community."

More than 100 people came out to bowl and eat pizza while raising more than $2,000 to help pay for food and services.

Founded in 1981, Northwest Compass provides a variety of emergency services - ranging from food support and housing assistance to child care and money management education - to individuals and families in crisis situations. In 2010, the group's programs reached 31,000 people in need, according to its website.

Besides in headquarters in Mount Prospect, Northwest Compass also operates satellite locations in Palatine, Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park.

Proceeds from Sunday's event benefited the organization's Food Connections program, which offers emergency relief for individuals and families that lack sufficient food and nutrition to meet their daily needs.