Daily Herald, Robert R. McCormick Foundation kick off Neighbors in Need campaign

For the Daily Herald and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the giving season commences Tuesday with the launch of the annual Neighbors in Need fundraising campaign to support charities that assist suburban residents facing hunger, homelessness and inadequate health care.

“There is a lot of need right now,” said Sonia Mathew, director of partnerships for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “We're hoping Daily Herald readers can be generous and support this campaign.”

The McCormick Foundation was established in 1955 by Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick to provide financial support to organizations “working to build thriving communities where all individuals have the resources and opportunities to succeed.”

The foundation, which operates Cantigny Park in Wheaton, invests in Chicago communities and helps fund suburban service organizations through its partnership with the Daily Herald.

To that end, the McCormick Foundation contributes 50 cents for every dollar Daily Herald readers donate to the Neighbors in Need campaign, now in its 5th year.

Last year, 63 readers donated $21,523.02, to which the foundation added $10,761.51 for a total of $32,284.53 (rounded to $32,285). That resulted in grants of $6,456 to each of the five charities.

Donations to nonprofit organizations have declined over the last few years, notes Mathew, while the need is ever present. Even small donations from readers have an impact, she said.

“The small organizations we support in this campaign benefit from that generosity,” Mathew said.

To donate to Neighbors in Need, visit dailyherald.com/neighbors.

Organizations set to receive grants this year include:

· Woodfield Area Children's Organization, a volunteer organization established in 1979 to provide basic needs, including educational support, for children living at or below the poverty level in Chicago's Northwest and West suburbs.

· West Suburban Community Pantry serves 1,000 families a week at its in-person pantry and online market. The organization also offers support services, including assistance for families applying for benefits and referrals to wellness programs.

· JOURNEYS The Road Home serves families and individuals from the North and Northwest suburbs who are experiencing homelessness or the risk of homelessness. The organization provides shelter, basic needs, wrap-around services and housing resources to more than 1,000 people annually.

· Tri City Health Partnership helps provide quality health care for people living or working in Kane County who are at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. TCHP offers a range or medical and dental services including: wellness exams; chronic disease management; immunizations; lab testing; prescriptions; dental cleanings; X-rays; fillings; extractions; and emergency treatment, along with chiropractic, orthopedics gynecology and specialty dental care.

· Bridge Communities is a nonprofit organization based in Glen Ellyn that provides transitional housing, financial mentoring and comprehensive services to families facing homelessness in DuPage County.