Jewel-Osco's Nourishing Neighbors donations to benefit Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank has been selected as a charity partner for Jewel-Osco Foundation and will receive donations from the grocery retailer's annual Nourishing Neighbors Breakfast campaign aimed at helping ensure every child has access to a healthy breakfast.
Through Sept. 30, Jewel-Osco customers are encouraged to give a donation to the Nourishing Neighbors Breakfast campaign at the cash register during checkout.
The donations will be used to provide nutritious breakfast food items for school children through the Food Bank's BackPack Program.
"Young minds and bodies need a healthy breakfast to kick off their day," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. "Eating breakfast improves alertness, concentration, mental performance and mood. We're thrilled to have been selected as the charity partner for 84 Jewel-Osco locations in our service area, and we are grateful to Jewel-Osco Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors initiative for their ongoing commitment to fighting hunger in our communities."
Nourishing Neighbors aims to help keep food banks stocked and supports meal distributions at schools.
As a program of the Jewel-Osco Foundation, Nourishing Neighbors is working to eradicate childhood hunger in America. With as many as 1 in 4 children in America at risk of hunger, the funds raised in September will be dedicated to local efforts that ensure every child has access to a healthy breakfast.
"Breakfast is an essential school supply for kids to learn, grow and thrive," said Jewel-Osco President Mike Withers. "We're grateful to support the important work of community partners like Northern Illinois Food Bank. Together we are making our neighborhoods better places for our children to grow up."
In its 38th year, Northern Illinois Food Bank provides food and resources to neighbors in need through its network of 900 food pantries, mobile markets and feeding programs in 13 counties throughout Northern Illinois. This September - Hunger Action Month - the Food Bank joins Feeding America and other food banks throughout the country in raising awareness about hunger in communities.
"Thousands of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet and having to choose between childcare, healthcare, rent and groceries. Putting food on the table should not be one of their concerns. In Northern Illinois, we have enough resources to provide nutritious food for everyone to thrive," Yurko said.
To get involved, go to SolveHungerToday.org/Action for actions to help end hunger.
If you or someone you know needs free groceries, visit SolveHungerToday.org/GetHelp for options near you.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, we serve our neighbors in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day. They bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources.
The distribution centers are located in Geneva, Park City, Rockford and Joliet. Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.