Donate blood on Sept. 5 and Vitalant will make $20 contribution to Northern Illinois Food Bank

September is Hunger Action Month. Northern Illinois Food Bank, along with more than 200 food banks across the country, are recognizing it with several initiatives to educate the public about the issue of hunger and ways to get involved.

One initiative is a “Double Hero Blood Drive” on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northern Illinois Food Bank’s West Suburban Center, 273 Dearborn Court in Geneva. Bring an ID. Appointments are recommended; walk-ins are welcome. Remember to eat well and hydrate beforehand. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call Vitalant at (877) 258-4825 or visit vitalant.org.

The need for food has not slowed down, and the need for blood continues to rise. Vitalant and Northern Illinois Food Bank are hosting a blood drive to serve these vital needs.

It’s being called a “Double Hero Blood Drive” for a very specific reason -- for each donor who presents and donates at the blood drive, Vitalant will make a $20 contribution to Northern Illinois Food Bank, that will provide $160 worth of groceries for our neighbors because $1 donated to the Food Bank, provides $8 worth of groceries!

"We are pleased to partner with Vitalant and host a blood drive at Northern Illinois Food Bank. Our shared mission is to ensure that our neighbors have the resources they need to thrive. Vitalant's support showcases the strength of partnerships in making a positive impact in our communities," said Maeven Sipes, chief philanthropy officer, Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Guests will be donating blood and raising funds for food at the same time. If that’s not heroic, we don’t know what is!