Stars and Cars raises more than $80,000 for Northern Illinois Food Bank
Supporters of Northern Illinois Food Bank raised more than $80,000 for the organization's mission of feeding hungry neighbors at the third annual Stars and Cars presented by Fifth Third Bank on Oct. 8 in Northbrook. The proceeds will support the Food Bank's efforts to solve hunger in northern Illinois through innovative programs and its network of 800 community food pantries and feeding programs.
Chaired by Brian McCaskey, Chicago Bears Senior Director of Business Development, Stars and Cars drew more than 175 guests to Steve Foley Motors of Northbrook - Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Bentley. Special guests included Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould; former Chicago Bears Fabien Bownes, Brian Baschnagel, Clyde Emrich, Roland Harper, Al Harris, Jim Morrissey, James Osbourne, Jim Thornton, James Williams; former Chicago Bulls Dave Corzine and Bill Wennington; and former NBA players Kenny Battle, Emmette Bryant and Kevin Porter.
Guests enjoyed tastings from prominent area restaurants and vendors, including Crafthouse Cocktails, Froggy's, Flik Hospitality Group, Heinen's Grocery Store, Morton's Steakhouse, Pizzeria DeVille, Real Urban Barbecue, Soothsayer with Creative Customs, Sunset Foods, Westwood Bistro, Wildfire Restaurant and Wisma Concepts. They also had an opportunity to take part in a silent auction and view luxury automobiles from Steve Foley Motors of Northbrook.
Northern Illinois Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that provides food to more than 71,000 hungry neighbors each week through a network of 800 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs in northern Illinois. Last year, the Food Bank distributed the equivalent of 57 million meals. Recognized as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for 12 consecutive years, the Food Bank dedicates 97 percent of its resources to programs that feed neighbors in need.
"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone who attended Stars and Cars," said Julie Yurko, President and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank. "The funds raised during this one entertaining evening will help us ensure hungry neighbors throughout our 13-county service area have access to nutritious food."
Other sponsors included gold sponsors Foley Motors of Northbrook - Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Grainger; silver sponsors Ferrara Candy Company, Tate & Lyle and US Foods; and bronze sponsors Watershed Development and Woodforest Bank.