Hunger Resource Network takes another big bite out of hunger

During an eventful two hours on a recent Saturday morning, scores of trucks streamed in and out of the loading dock at Action Plastics and the home offices of Hunger Resource Network (HRN) in Northbrook.

Their mission: collect and distribute 132,000 pounds of frozen chicken to help alleviate hunger throughout the Chicago area.

HRN hosts "Community Outreach Day" events twice a year in November (held on Veterans Day in 2023) and April (around Easter).

The frozen, 10 lb. packages of chicken are distributed to nearly 100 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across the Chicago area.

"Each ½ pound of chicken equals one serving of healthy protein. In total, 264,000 protein servings are provided by the 132,000 pounds of chicken (66 tons). Most of the chicken is served that evening or within a few days," said Kerry Smith, director of Development at HRN. "In fact, since 2009, Hunger Resource Network (HRN), based in Northbrook, has distributed over 4.2 million pounds of food to recipient agencies."

Food Insecurity and Hunger: A Persistent U.S. Challenge

"You do not have to go to a Third World country to see hunger. It is here! It's in our communities and in our neighborhoods today and it will continue to be here tomorrow, unless we choose to make a difference," said Dan Jariabka, president, HRN, who founded the nonprofit organization with his wife, Linda.

The HRN website (https://www.hungerresourcenetwork.org/) points out key facts about hunger in America:

One in five children in the U.S. faces hunger. Source: Feeding America, Hunger in America Study

• More than 49 million Americans live in food insecure households. Source: Ziliak, J.P. & Gundersen, C., The State of Senior Hunger in America

• 9% of all seniors are food insecure. Source: Ziliak, J.P. & Gundersen, C., The State of Senior Hunger in America

• Millions of working Americans must choose between buying food and paying rent. Millions of seniors must choose between buying food and paying for medications.

Representatives of recipient organizations commented on the importance of HRN's Community Outreach Day in support of their mission to help alleviate hunger among the communities they serve.

Hillside Food Pantry: "More quality food gets into the hands of people who need it."

Founded in May 2009, Hillside Food Pantry, has served at least 300,000 households comprising over 870,000 individuals.

"We distribute at least 400,000 pounds of food a year of which 35% is fresh produce. Our households served have increased over the past few months and, during the pandemic, when people were out of work, and now with increasing food costs," said Faith Albano, operations manager, Hillside Food Pantry, based in Evanston, IL.

"Having 'chicken day' twice a year goes a long way toward getting protein into the hands of those in need, especially due to the cost of meat and chicken today," Albano added. "The chicken is provided by HRN to us in 10 lb. bags, so they are ready to hand out (two hundred bags is equal to 2,000 lbs. of frozen chicken) and it is all given out that afternoon after we pick it up at the HRN distribution center. We participate twice a year in Community Outreach Day which is helpful as our numbers of families in need are increasing. It is a struggle for them and us to get protein at reasonable prices."

Albano emphasized, "We are so grateful to HRN, and they are doing the hard work to enable us and other organizations to get more quality food into the hands of people who need it. HRN helps address the gaping hole in our country's broken food distribution system."

Bill Mengebier, a resident of the Mayfair community on Chicago's Northwest side, is an avid volunteer who works as a consultant in the communications field. He serves as the food distribution coordinator for Mayfair Mutual Aid. Bill picked up 7,000 lbs. of frozen chicken on behalf of Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition (CFSC), which includes 30-40 mutual aid groups involved in food rescue and distribution across Chicago.

"We bring food from wholesalers, grocery stores and farmers markets to our two warehouse hubs which have freezer space," he explained. "The HRN frozen chicken is brought to one of the warehouses where it is picked up by Coalition member groups for distribution to neighbors in need."

Members of CFSC work together to ensure all of the food is distributed and not wasted. "The 7,000 lbs. of frozen chicken we pick up from HRN (twice a year) are distributed within a week, serving several hundred families around Thanksgiving and again in April," Mengebier explained.

"HRN is remarkable in their consistency in making available frozen chicken twice each year," he said. "HRN helps us address the gaping hole in our country's system of how food is grown, processed, and distributed that is simply not working for so many families."

Steve Polit expands distribution by "supporting a great idea."

A longtime Mt. Prospect resident and businessperson, Steve Polit is a standout model of grass-roots volunteerism. He started volunteering with HRN in 2009 and established a local distribution outreach effort to several food shelters and organizations on behalf of Community Outreach Day.

"I work with the directors of several organizations as well as folks in charge of logistics," Polit said. "I found that getting involved with HRN has resulted in the ability to multiply the number of groups that benefit from the distribution of frozen chicken."

By addressing food insecurity and promoting adequate protein intake, HRN, Polit believes, can improve the overall health and well-being of individuals in communities like Mount Prospect and break the cycle of food insecurity.

Polit's approach is very efficient, and it all happens at no cost. He is provided a truck (free rental) from Route 12 Rental in Arlington Heights. On the morning of Community Outreach Day, he picks up 4,000 lbs. of frozen chicken provided by HRN at no cost to him and delivers it to five organizations who immediately distribute it to those in need.

In November, these groups, located in the Mount Prospect area, included: Northwest Compass, Higher Up Ministries, Village of Mount Prospect Food Pantry, Christian Life Church and Elk Grove Township Food Pantry.

During the next HRN community outreach day in April 2024, Polit will distribute another 4,000 pounds of frozen chicken to five community organizations.

"All I am doing is supporting a great idea," Polit added.

Learn More About Hunger Resource Network

HRN is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to working in partnership with corporations and individuals who share a commitment to feed the hungry.

There are dozens of businesses and foundations who are HRN benefactors. Visit: https://www.hungerresourcenetwork.org/partners

"With the support of our generous partners, HRN is helping meet the needs of local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters and helping them feed the hungry with nutritious meals," said Smith.

For additional information or to volunteer, contact HRN at (847) 272-1700 or go to https://www.hungerresourcenetwork.org/.

HRN is located at 3025 Walters Ave., Northbrook, IL.

To Donate: (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VG2DCCT6A35AC)