Our Foodie 5K team honors Julie Boyer Yurko, the CEO/President of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. She is our daughter, mom, sister, aunt, and friend. She is our “shero”

The Corona Virus has rocked our world. The Northern Illinois Food Bank has not paused for a moment in its mission to be sure every one of our neighbors has every meal, every day. It is working tirelessly to feed the thousands of hungry people in its 7,000-square mile-13  county service area.

Last year the Northern Illinois Food Bank provided 69 million meals. We cannot imagine, knowing the enormous need Covid 19 has created, the amount of groceries and essentials they will  provide this year.

We are asking for your help. When the horror of Covid 19 is gone, the horror of hunger will continue for the days, weeks, months, and years to come. One person in seven was hungry before the virus. Within this number, one child out of five was hungry before the virus. How many are hungry now?

The NIFB needs your financial support more than ever. Its expenses have increased significantly. It is buying more food than it normally does because while the volume of donations is stable because of large donations of produce, there is a great need for foods high in protein like eggs, yogurt and especially meat. Also needed are non-perishable items like you find on your grocery store shelves. It is hiring food packers to work along side its amazing volunteers. It is increasing the number of Mobile Food Pantries and distribution sites. The 900 food pantries and partners it provides food for are increasing their distributions.

We are asking for two things: money and prayers. Please donate. Provide hope. People are hungry. Secondly please pray for the health and stamina of the Food Bank’s staff, its volunteers and for our hungry neighbors.

With every $1 you contribute; the foodbank will provide $8 worth of groceries.

Thank You! The Boyer, Fisher, Yurko, Baxter, O’Brien, and Stevens Families.