Food bank serving many families in need

Recently food pantries have seen a large influx in the number of people arriving for assistance. The number of people looking to food pantries during these rough economic times has affected the area food banks as well.

In fiscal year 2009, the Northern Illinois Food Bank distributed over 27 million pounds of food, nearly a 20 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank receives food and monetary donations from retailers and manufacturers and distributes it to a network of food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens in our area. Community organizations and individuals also donate food, money, and time to help with the food distributions.

In addition to the many food pantries and other not-for-profits that the food bank distributes to, a mobile pantry also travels the area distributing food directly to the low-income clients that need food assistance.

The mobile food pantry has made stops in communities in the 75th district like Gardner, Coal City, Mazon, and Morris. With each stop, the mobile pantry can distribute between 7,500 and 10,000 pounds of food to 100 to 300 families.

Obviously, with the influx of families to serve, the Northern Illinois Food Bank could use help in acquiring an adequate amount of food to help the families in need. Even though corporations like Jewel-Osco, General Mills, Del Monte Foods, and Kraft help with donations, community donations are also helpful.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank has made it as easy as ever for those wishing to donate food to do so by taking part in their Virtual Food Drive which is available at its Web site (www.northernilfoodbank.org).

With September being Hunger Action Month, it would be the perfect time for those that are able to donate what they can to help those who have no food for their families.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank and all of its partners do a wonderful job making sure the low-income families in our communities receive healthy food and should be commended.

For more information, please feel free to contact my constituent office at 815-634-3096.