Hunger Resource Network donates 80 tons of chicken to local service agencies
Ask Melissa Luken, vice president of food operations for Loaves & Fishes Community Services, if it has been a demanding year for the largest food pantry in the state of Illinois.
Serving DuPage, Will, Kane and Kendall counties, Loaves & Fishes has indeed seen a record number of visitors this past year.
“We are continuing to see a growing number of food insecure people in the community — year over year we saw the need grow by over 100,000 people looking to Loaves & Fishes for assistance,” Luken said.
“We are serving over 10,000 people each week and in our fiscal year that ended June 2024, we recorded serving over 443,000 people for the year,” Luken added.
During its recent “Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day” on Saturday, Nov. 16, the Hunger Resource Network, based in Northbrook, helped Loaves & Fishes by providing 6,000 lbs. (12,000 servings) of chicken for the communities they serve.
On Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day, 80 tons of chicken was distributed to service agencies. In total during 2024, Hunger Resource Network distributed a record amount of 280,000 lbs. of chicken (140 tons) to 90 food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens throughout the Chicago area.
Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day is held twice a year in spring and fall. Since 2009, more than 4.6 million lbs. (2,300 tons} of food has been distributed to Chicago area neighbors in need.
Hunger Resource Network widens its 2024 distribution area to help alleviate hunger
“I’m thrilled to announce that, thanks to our generous donors this year, we’ve secured funding to purchase 40,000 additional pounds of chicken.
“This has enabled us to provide food to nine new recipient agencies, providing 80,000 more meals to those facing hunger,” said Dan Jariabka, who founded Hunger Resource Network with his wife, Linda, in 2009 with the purpose of supporting food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across the Chicago area.
“With the total amount of chicken distributed in 2024, 560,000 people will be served a nutritious meal — some for the first time in quite a while,” Jariabka added.
“On Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day, the teamwork among our volunteers was phenomenal. The loading of agency vehicles started at 7:20 a.m. and finished at 9:30 a.m. It was amazing,” Jariabka said.
Informative voices: Increasing needs in food challenged communities
Representatives of two of the 90 recipient service agencies shared their thoughts about the increasing demand for meeting the needs of the food challenged communities they serve.
Harriet Ford is on the board of the Grafton Food Pantry which serves the village of Huntley, portions of Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Pingree Grove and Crystal Lake.
“We provide food for approximately 190 families on a regular basis. We are serving about 28% more people in 2024 than we did in 2023. Protein is a critical component in a healthy, balanced diet. It is often in short supply at pantries.
“The chicken we received was an incredible gift to have available for families experiencing food insecurity, especially for those with seniors and young children included. Quality protein is in great demand,” Ford said.
She pointed out “It has been an economically challenging time for local families. We are so thankful that Grafton Food Pantry was included in this HRN donation. We shared the chicken with FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Both pantries began distribution immediately.”
Sister Mary Valerie of Fraternite Notre Dame commented, “Our agency serves hundreds of homeless people in the streets of Chicago and in our Soup Kitchen. Our pantry serves between 400 to 500 families per week. Each family receives a nice grocery box. But lately, we have had a shortage in food donations, HRN’s generosity makes a real difference.
“In 2023, we served approximately 40,200 meals through our Soup Kitchen Programs and about 111,000 people through all our programs.”
Sister Mary Valerie added, “The poor people we serve have nothing at home and receiving protein-rich chicken means a lot for them. The parents can feed their children nutritious food. The needs are increasing all the time. We really appreciate HRN’s beautiful help!”
About Hunger Resource Network
Hunger Resource Network is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to working in partnership with corporations, organizations and individuals who share a commitment to feed the hungry. Its mission is to aid in the alleviation of hunger by helping meet the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. There are dozens of businesses and foundations who are benefactors. Visit www.hungerresourcenetwork.org.
For additional information, to volunteer or donate, contact HRN at (847) 272-1700 or go to www.hungerresourcenetwork.org.