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Northern Illinois Food Bank ready to kick off Hunger Action Month

Northern Illinois' leading hunger relief charity is gearing up for Hunger Action Month.

"Community discussions have been arranged, local food drives are planned, and neighborhood dine-out fundraisers are on the calendar," said Donna Larkin Lake, communications and philanthropy director at Northern Illinois Food Bank. "These events offer local residents the opportunity to learn more about hunger in their community and help the Food Bank and our member food pantries and feeding programs continue to provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need."

Every week 71,500 people - or one in seven - across northern Illinois visit Northern Illinois Food Bank's network of 800 food pantries and soup kitchens for groceries or a hot meal. Additionally, the food bank distributes fresh produce, meat and other foods through programs such as mobile pantries, after-school snack and meal programs, and backpacks filled with food that children take home each Friday.

Hunger Action Month is a national campaign that takes place during September and encourages the public to get involved and learn more about the instance of hunger in their neighborhoods and the work Feeding America food banks across the nation are doing to solve hunger.

Locally, events include:

• Signing an online pledge at www.SolveHungerToday.org/HAM, where Allstate will donate $1 to Northern Illinois Food Bank for every person who signs the pledge;

• Panel discussions at Benedictine University in Lisle (Sept. 3), Lewis University in Romeoville (Sept. 22), and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb (Sept. 30);

• A 12-hour pack-athon at Northern Illinois Food Bank's Northwest Center in Rockford (Sept. 11);

• A cooking demonstration at Geneva's Festival of the Vine on Sept. 13;

• Restaurant dine-outs to benefit the Food Bank (throughout the month in Naperville); to monthlong food drives, including a "Stuff the Bus" food drive at various locations throughout Plainfield, the "Gurnee Gives Back Food Drive" at the Gurnee Park District, and White Oak Library District's food drive at locations in Crest Hill, Lockport and Romeoville.

Sky High in Naperville will donate $3 for every paid trampoline session from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. Funds will benefit both Northern Illinois Food Bank and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Naperville.

Thursday, Sept. 3, has been designated National "Go Orange" Day. The public is encouraged to wear orange to show their support and bring awareness to the issue of hunger, and to share those photos with Northern Illinois Food Bank by using #ILHungerAction when posting to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"We hope everyone will find at least one way to support our hungry neighbors this September," Larkin Lake said. "Hunger is a big issue in our area, but with the support of our communities we can ensure that our hungry neighbors have the nutritious food they need."

A calendar of Hunger Action Month events in Northern Illinois can be found on Northern Illinois Food Bank's website at www.SolveHungerToday.org/HAM.

Northern Illinois Food Bank has centers in Geneva, Park City and Rockford. Volunteers are needed to help sort and pack food for distribution to local food pantries and feeding programs, and for administrative duties. Visit www.SolveHungerToday.org/Volunteer to learn more.

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