As we approach the end of the year, nonprofits across Chicagoland will receive more donations this month than any other time of the year. Inspired by the holiday spirit, donors are choosing to give to charities that serve those most affected by the ongoing economic downturn, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank, where I am president and CEO. My organization provides nutritious food to families as they deal with increased expenses for groceries, fuel, utilities and other needs.
Charitable organizations rely on end-of-year giving as a crucial opportunity to connect with supporters and secure vital fundraising dollars for their mission. However, unlike the holiday season, hunger knows no season. Working families and others who were most affected by the pandemic struggle year-round to recover from the economic hardship of the past two years.
Inflation and rising costs are driving neighbors to seek assistance from the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s food pantries and programs at historically high rates. In fact, the food bank served a monthly average of 450,000 neighbors in the last three months in its 13-county service area, a 55% increase from pre-pandemic levels and 40% more than the same quarter last year.
