Three to Know

Monthly Partner Spotlight

EPEL shares about organizations that serve children and families in our community. All information has been provided by the organization itself and is responsible for the accuracy of the content. If you would like your organization to be a part of Three to Know email me here. Each month an organization is featured so we can make connections, align services and work strategically to serve more effectively.
Tell us about your organization
Northern Illinois Food provides access to food through a network of member food assistance sites working together across our 13-county service area, where one in twelve residents, including one in six children are food-insecure. With the collaboration of more than 900 network member food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and youth and senior sites, the Food Bank provides nutritious meals for 70,000 hungry neighbors every week and distributed almost 66 million meals in FY2018. 81% of the food distributed is donated by food manufacturers and retailers, 8% is acquired from federal commodities and 11% is purchased.
How does the work you do impact our youngest learners birth to 5 years old?
Growing children aged 0 – 5 need nutritious food to ensure they develop physically and emotionally. Children who are hungry often find it difficult to concentrate on activities and may get sick more often. The Food Bank provides access to nutritious food at member food pantries, where families can receive meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy non-perishables; some food pantries distribute fresh milk and eggs.
Something you might not know about our agency...
You may not know that for every dollar donated to the Food Bank or to your local food pantry we can provide $8 worth of groceries for our hungry neighbors.
Also anyone in need of food may visit a food pantry; there may be geographic limitations at some food pantries, but no one should be turned away without receiving food.