Forty years ago, Northern Illinois Food Bank began as a vision of Sister Rosemarie Burian, who desired to feed people experiencing food insecurity in her community. Today, with the collaboration of more than 900 food pantries and program partners, we are serving more than 450,000 neighbors each month across thirteen counties – neighbors like Victoria and her husband, whose living expenses increased drastically when they relocated to Illinois with their three young children. Victoria shares, “The cost of living here going up has really made it challenging to buy food. For a number of weeks, we simply didn’t have enough food. We had almost nothing in the refrigerator, and I just didn’t want my kids to experience that.”

Victoria and her family were able to receive much needed assistance from their local food pantry. “The food pantry was the answer to my prayer. It was tough. And now that we come here, we have enough on a regular basis. This food pantry really makes it possible for us to pay rent,” she says.

Victoria expresses deep gratitude, “I would personally like to thank you [donors and the Northern Illinois Food Bank]. It actually brings tears to my eyes because our family was really struggling. What you’re doing here has not only sustained us food-wise, but it’s also given me hope.”

Compounding social and economic factors are pushing more neighbors to seek assistance from our network. The Food Bank is investing in purchasing more food than ever before to meet the persistent need we are seeing, at a time when food costs are significantly increased. As we continue to work towards our vision of everyone in Northern Illinois having the food they need to thrive, we are grateful that we are not in this work alone, but are part of a greater community of supporters like YOU, who are helping to transform the charitable food system and empower our neighbors.