How Northern Illinois Food Bank aims to give 50,000 families a holiday meal
Northern Illinois Food Bank is marking 25 years of its Holiday Meal Box program, ensuring all neighbors can enjoy a special holiday meal with their loved ones.
This year, thanks to the generous support of sponsors and volunteers, the Food Bank will be providing 50,000 meal boxes to neighbors facing hunger across 13 counties in rural and suburban Northern Illinois.
Food Bank volunteers will pack the boxes and food pantries will distribute the holiday meals in November and December. Neighbors can find distribution details by contacting their local food pantry.
Each Holiday Meal Box weighs 14.9 lbs., feeds a family of six to eight, and contains traditional holiday meal trimmings, including stuffing, turkey gravy, golden sweet whole kernel corn, green beans, sweet potatoes, white rice, pinto beans, cranberry sauce, hot cocoa, dessert mix and canned fruit. Depending on the location, neighbors will also receive a whole turkey, turkey breast, or ham.
The holiday season is a time to gather and enjoy a special meal, but for neighbors struggling to make ends meet, the holiday season brings added challenges and expenses.
“The Holiday Meal Box program is not just about food, it’s about community and connection,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “For 25 years, donors have supported this program, volunteers have packed the boxes of food, agencies have distributed them, and our neighbors have been able to gather with their families and celebrate the holidays together, at a time that holds great meaning for so many.”
Sponsors of the 2024 Holiday Meal Box program include Jewel-Osco, Nicor, Prinova, Tate & Lyle, Kubota, Winland Foods and individual donors.
Northern Illinois Food Bank’s network of more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, and feeding programs is continuing to serve more neighbors than ever before. The Food Bank serves an average of 570,000 neighbors every month. This is an increase of 80,000 -- more neighbors a month than last year and double pre-pandemic.
There are opportunities to help support the Holiday Meal Box Program. Individuals, groups and corporations can make a donation or volunteer.
To find a local pantry or feeding program or for information about Northern Illinois Food Bank visit SolveHungerToday.org.
About Northern Illinois Food Bank
For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Their vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and member of Feeding America, it serves neighbors in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day. They bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They also partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet.