Geneva church awarded Volunteer Organization of the Year by Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva has been honored as "Volunteer Organization of the Year" by Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The food bank recognized the church's dedicated commitment to helping neighbors who are food insecure, a desire to do more, an eagerness to complete any task, and the joy which volunteers bring to work as reasons why Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva was selected.

The church's Social Justice Team, led by Jean Pierce, began a relationship with Northern Illinois Food Bank about 10 years ago. Under the leadership of church member Lisa Gades, the food bank team was established. The endeavor grew to volunteer events occurring 3-4 times per year. The commitment increased to its current frequency of monthly engagements in December 2014.

Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva regularly brings 20 volunteers and hopes to expand that number. "We are reaching out to other UU churches in the area in hopes to expand our efforts with them," Gades said.

From December 2014 to December 2015, the church's Food Bank Team packaged more than 80,000 lbs. of food and necessities at the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, established in 1842 and the oldest church in Geneva, is a diverse, welcoming community that endeavors to make its covenant a living reality. They provide religious education and opportunities for spiritual growth. They encourage individual and mutual responsibility as together they work to be a liberal religious voice in the community and a force for compassionate social justice. For more information, visit www.uusg.org.