Fourth annual 'A Cup of Hope' event returns March 3 to benefit Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Executive Women's Council of Northern Illinois Food Bank will host its fourth annual "A Cup of Hope: A Garden Tea to Solve Hunger" on Sunday, March 3, at Embassy Suites in Naperville.

The timing is perfect to help reawaken spring gardeners while enjoying afternoon tea to help fight childhood hunger in Northern Illinois.

The event will gather those who have a love for gardening and Food Bank supporters alike for a traditional afternoon tea party experience, complete with an extensive selection of teas, appetizers, silent auction and raffle prizes. The afternoon will also include a presentation by Jill Kilhefner, an advanced Master Gardener, clinical dietitian, and amateur beekeeper who will discuss the importance of bees and other pollinators in gardens and beyond.

Last year, the event raised more than $82,000, helping to provide more than $656,000 in groceries to help combat childhood hunger across the Food Bank's 13-county service area of Northern Illinois.

The Executive Women's Council, which hosts several events throughout the year to benefit the Food Bank, aims to engage more women in the issue of hunger and in donating time, food and funds through outreach and fundraising initiatives. A Cup of Hope is the Council's premiere event of the year, and all proceeds benefit the Food Bank's child nutrition programs.

"We're so excited to once again raise funds for child nutrition programming at the Food Bank, and we're so grateful for the outpouring of generosity we see each year from the community during this event," said Executive Women's Council member Gail Hernly. "The event has grown since its inception just four short years ago, and we look forward to it being even more successful this year."

To learn more about upcoming events at Northern Illinois Food Bank and how to get involved in its mission of solving hunger, visit www.SolveHungerToday.org, or call (630) 443-6910.

For more information on the Cup of Hope event or to join the Executive Women's Council, visit www.SolveHungerToday.org/ACupofHope or contact Kate Thomas at (630) 443-6910, ext. 117.

Northern Illinois Food Bank leads the northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Since 1983, food manufacturers, local grocers, corporations, foundations, and individuals have come together to donate food and funds, evaluate and repack food for distribution to close to 900 community food pantries and feeding programs serving half a million hungry neighbors each year across 13 counties. That commitment provided nearly 66 million meals to those in need in Fiscal Year 2018. Find out how you can volunteer, donate and get involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org or follow the nonprofit on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is a member of Feeding America.