Program providing food to children gets big boost with $250K check from Abbott

A national program providing children facing food insecurity backpacks filled with shelf-stable, healthy items received a big monetary boost from Abbott in Lake County.

Employees of the health care giant stuffed backpacks for distribution Thursday at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Lake Forest. The company’s philanthropic foundation contributed $250,000 to the BackPack Program, which provides weekend meals every Friday and before a school holiday to children experiencing food insecurity across northern Illinois.

“No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Melissa Brotz, president of Abbott Fund and senior vice president of global marketing and external affairs.

“Nutrition is foundational to health and we’re proud to support Northern Illinois Food Bank and invite others to join us — whether by volunteering, donating or simply spreading the word,” she added.

The BackPack Program is entirely funded through private donations. The Abbott grant will provide weekly backpacks to 2,000 children, the equivalent of 225,000 nutritious meals for kids and their families during the school year.

“The BackPack Program is a vital resource for children who may otherwise go without adequate nutrition when school is not in session,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“Now more than ever, we’re turning to partners, like Abbott, to help,” she added.

According to Abbott, one in nine children — a 32% increase since 2019 — face food insecurity across northern Illinois. Children are identified to participate in the BackPack Program by school staff based on observed signs of chronic hunger or knowledge of family need.

Visit solvehungertoday.org/child-nutrition-programs for more information about the BackPack program and opportunities to support childhood nutrition initiatives.