Northern Illinois Food Bank launches Hunger Action Month events and Go Orange Day

This September, Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leading hunger relief organization serving 13 counties in rural and suburban Northern Illinois and member of the Feeding America Network, will recognize Hunger Action Month with several initiatives to educate the public about the issue of hunger and ways to get involved.

The Food Bank's monthlong campaign will include a National Day of Service with special volunteer shifts at all four centers, Go Orange Day, "Triple it Up: Advocate-Motivate-Donate" matching gift challenge, poverty simulation event, and dedicated Hunger Action Month webpage with ways the community can take action throughout the month.

Its mission is to provide nutritious food and resources for neighbors, with dignity, equity and convenience through partnerships and innovation with a vision of everyone in Northern Illinois having the food they need to thrive.

Today, Northern Illinois Food Bank works with a network of more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens and feeding programs to serve 490,000 neighbors every month and 80 million meals a year in Northern Illinois.

"The need for food assistance is up 30% from last year and 70% pre-pandemic due to reasons including inflation, rising food prices, gas and the decrease in emergency government benefits - including SNAP and Medicaid," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. "Solving hunger is a community wide effort and we can't do it alone. Hunger Action Month is a great way for the community to get involved and join us in the fight against hunger."

Hunger Action Month

National Day of Service - On Sept. 11, Northern Illinois Food Bank will be holding packing shifts across its four centers for a special National Day of Service during Hunger Action Month. Additional volunteer shifts are available throughout the month if days fill-up or do not work with someone's schedule. Register via www.volunteer-northernilfoodbank.org/need/.

• West Suburban Center, 273 Dearborn Court in Geneva: volunteer shifts from 9 to11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. or 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• South Suburban Center, 171 S. Larkin Ave. in Joliet: volunteer shifts from 9 to 11 a.m. or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.)

• Northwest Center, 765 Research Parkway in Rockford: volunteer shift from 9 to 11 a.m..

• North Suburban Center, 13950 Business Center Drive in Lake Forest.

To sign up for volunteer shifts at another time, visit solvehungertoday.org/how-to-help/volunteer/.

Go Orange Day

On Friday, Sept. 15, Northern Illinois Food Bank, along with more than 200 food banks across the country, is calling on the community to "Go Orange" and help raise awareness about hunger relief. Wear an orange and share on social media using #HungerActionMonth #NeighborsEmpowered, and #GoOrange.

Poverty simulation event

On Monday, September 25 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Northern Illinois Food Bank will be hosting a Poverty Simulation event at the West Suburban Center in Geneva. A poverty simulation is an experiential learning opportunity that teaches participants about the challenges the people living in poverty are facing. Participants role-play challenges and obstacles individuals might encounter. If you are interested in participating, sign up here. For questions, please contact Corey Incandela, cincandela@northernilfoodbank.org.

Triple It Up

Throughout the month of September, volunteers can "Triple it Up: Advocate-Motivate-Donate." Volunteers will get their gifts double matched by a generous (and anonymous) donor and volunteer! Every $1 donated will help provide $24 worth of groceries with the double match.

'30 Ways in 30 Days'

Take action this month and share the "30 Ways in 30 Days" calendar with friends, family, and co-workers to find creative ways you can get involved in the fight against hunger!

To purchase Hunger Action Month merchandise, visit www.bonfire.com/store/northern-illinois-food-bank/.

To learn more about how you can advocate and take action this Hunger Action Month, visit Northern Illinois Food Bank's Hunger Action Month webpage at Action Matters - Northern Illinois Food Bank (solvehungertoday.org)

For the past 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Our vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. 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. We 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. We also proudly partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Our distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, 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.