Food Bank awarded by Congressional Hunger Center

From press release

ST. CHARLES, Ill.—The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) has been nationally recognizing organizations that demonstrate innovative anti-hunger initiatives in local communities since 1993. Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) holds this distinct honor by being awarded a $1,000 grant in the 17th annual “Victory Against Hunger” awards.

The award proves NIFB continues to be a leader within the communities it serves in providing food assistance to those who need it, especially children. This is the second consecutive year the Food Bank has been recognized by the CHC.

NIFB’s selection in the competitive national grant process is largely based on its growth and expansion of existing youth nutrition programs. In Fiscal Year 2010, NIFB increased the number of meals it served to children in need by 28 percent. Thanks to the efforts of the Food Bank, more than 1.1 million meals were distributed through a multi-faceted approach to fighting child hunger. For more information about NIFB’s youth nutrition programs, visit northernillinoisfoodbank.org.

H. Dennis Smith, president of NIFB, said: “We are honored and proud to be one of only 25 food assistance organizations nationwide to be recognized by the Congressional Hunger Center for providing food to hungry neighbors in northern Illinois. The financial stipend provided with the award will be used to further our efforts to feed more children in the communities we serve. We work closely with our members of Congress on issues related to hunger. The support of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) made it possible for NIFB to be recognized this year.”

Biggert said: “The volunteers and staff of NIFB work on the front lines every day, providing meals to hungry families across 13 Illinois counties. Whether through their mobile food pantry, local soup kitchens, or even food-stuffed backpacks for at-risk youth, they work tirelessly to seek out those in need and ensure that local families can access a nutritious meal. That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to offer my support and congratulations to NIFB on receiving the Congressional Hunger Center’s Victory Against Hunger Award.”

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year, NIFB is a non-profit organization that provides food to all those in need through its 665 partner agencies in 13 counties. NIFB acquires, gathers, handles and distributes donated, government and purchased food to more than 61,000 different people each week through local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth activity centers and other food assistance sites.

In Fiscal Year 2010, NIFB distributed more than 35 million pounds of food. The Food Bank has launched a Capital Campaign to build a new Food Distribution and Community Nutrition Center to enable them to handle more food more efficiently to meet increasing demand.

From the Dec. 15-21, 2010 issue