Food industry rallies to support Northern Illinois Food Bank
More than 900 guests enjoyed tastings from 28 local restaurants and vendors during a festive evening at A Taste That Matters presented by Jewel-Osco, an event to raise money for hungry neighbors served by Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Doug Cygan, vice president of marketing & merchandising at Jewel-Osco, chaired the fourth annual A Taste That Matters on May 21 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The event raised more than $393,000, which will help Northern Illinois Food Bank provide more than $3 million of food to neighbors in need.
Representatives from companies including Jewel-Osco, C.A. Fortune, Carlin O'Brien, Chilay Corporation, Fifth Third Bank, Meijer, Nicor Gas, PepsiCo and Tyson mingled and bid on a wide variety of silent auction items throughout the evening. Special appearances by critically acclaimed jazz keyboardist Marcus Johnson and celebrity winemakers Charles Bieler and Roger Scommegna added to the entertaining atmosphere, with Bieler and Scommegna pouring samples of their Three Thieves premium California wines.
Northern Illinois Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that provides food to more than 71,000 hungry neighbors each week through a network of 800 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs in northern Illinois. Last year, the Food Bank distributed the equivalent of 50 million meals. Recognized as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for 11 consecutive years, the food bank dedicates 97 percent of its resources to programs that feed neighbors in need.
"We are extremely thankful for the outpouring of support from everyone who attended and bid on silent auction items at A Taste That Matters. We are especially grateful to Doug Cygan and Jewel-Osco for their sponsorship of this event, which provided an entertaining evening while helping Northern Illinois Food Bank ensure our hungry neighbors have access to nutritious food," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Tasting stations participating in A Taste That Matters included Antico Posto, Bacardi USA, Blount Fine Foods, Bucca di Beppo, Cabot Creamery, Carlucci Restaurant, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Devon Seafood & Steak, Eli's Cheesecake, Goya, Greek Island, Hanson-Faso, Heaven on Seven, Jo Snow Syrups, Kasia's Pierogi, Lynfred Winery, Meson Sabika, Miss Dottie's Poundcake, Nobel House, Season 52, Social Entertainment, Suzette's Creperie, The Three Thieves, Turano Baking Company, Two Brothers Brewery, Wildfire and Wildfire Honey.