Northern Illinois Food Bank gets trucks from Meijer

The Northern Illinois Food Bank was the recipient of two reconditioned semitrailers donated recently by Michigan-based Meijer stores.

NIFB is one of 14 food banks in five states to receive trucks. In all, Meijer donated 35 trucks, valued at $500,000, to food banks, academic organizations and law enforcement agencies in the Midwest. “Everyone at Meijer is very excited about the opportunity to make such a large donation to these important organizations,” Rick Keyes, a Meijer executive vice president, said in a statement. “Meijer focuses on supporting the communities where our customers and team members work and live. We are proud to be able to provide this level of support for organizations that do such important work.”

The trucks sent to the NIFB received a safety inspection and a new paint job with the food bank's logo. The food bank was chosen because its mission to combat hunger matches one of Meijer's charitable goals. Meijer donates several million pounds of food to local food banks and food pantries each year. It also operates a program called “Simply Give” which has generated more than $1.5 million in donations to the food banks.

The NIFB was recently recognized by the Congressional Hunger Center for the second straight year as an organization that demonstrates innovative anti-hunger initiatives in the community. The food bank received a $1,000 grant in the 17th annual “Victory Against Hunger” awards. It was one of only 25 food assistance organizations in the country to be recognized.