South Suburban Center will serve Will, Grundy, Kankakee and Kendall Counties

Fourth distribution center set to open in 2018

THE FULL PLATE

A lasting legacy

I N T H I S I S S U E

North Chicago couple makes generous gift

WINTER 2017F E E D I N G O U R H U N G R Y N E I G H B O R S

South Suburban Center

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South Suburban Center to open in 2018

N orthern Illinois Food Bank has signed a lease on an 18,000

square foot facility on South Larkin Avenue in Joliet, which will serve 175 local agencies and programs. The Center will provide increased access to perishable foods and improved efficiencies in food distribution. The new South Suburban Center marks the fourth center location for

the Food Bank and will be housed in a former Cub Foods building that is currently owned by Harvest Bible Chapel. The property features dock access, existing refrigeration and freezer walls and convenient access to I-55 and I-80. The space will be configured to provide volunteer workspace and offices for Food Bank staff.

W e often take it for granted:

the simple joy of sharing a meal with loved ones around a full table.

Food is such a stabilizing force in our lives, especially this time of year.

The Food Bank serves more than half a million people in Northern Illinois every year, providing them the comfort of a balanced meal thanks to your support. That’s a big number, but there is much more to be done. Countless children, families and seniors struggle with not having enough to eat on a daily basis. Hunger is a real problem in our community, but we know that together we can solve it.

Although our network is stretched thin in the face of continued hunger, your support allows our regional distribution centers to meet the need right where your neighbors live and work. Most recently, we’ve been working to identify how we can do an even better job of reaching our agency and program partners in a more efficient way. We’re happy to share that in 2018, we’ll be adding a fourth center, the South Suburban Center in Joliet, to help us better address hunger in some of our high-need counties – areas that were difficult to reach from our existing centers. Thank you for supporting us as we work to serve more families more food year-round.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we see fresh opportunities to make a difference right here in our community. I hope you’ll

continue to renew hope for your neighbors facing hunger by offering your generous support. What you do matters – your support is making Northern Illinois a better, healthier place for all of us to call home. Happy holidays,

Julie Yurko President and CEO

P.S. – I’m happy to share that the Food Bank has received its 14th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Fewer than one percent of all 1.5 million U.S. charities reach this milestone when evaluated.

In the spirit of the season, thank you Winter 2017

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Northern Illinois Food Bank is

working toward solving hunger

in Northern Illinois for our

neighbors in need. Look for

the following icons throughout

this issue of The Full Plate

accompanying stories that

highlight the five pillars of our

strategic plan:

Provide More Meals

Ignite the Community

Build Healthy Communities

Strengthen Leadership

Maintain Frugality

and Trust

For more information on the South Suburban Center, visit our website at www.SolveHungerToday.org/SSC

Providing relief to veterans facing war on hunger

Donald’s story

www.SolveHungerToday.org

Donald is able to have a hearty holiday meal thanks to the Food Bank’s support.

The Food Bank staff, volunteers and community partners recognized the month by going orange.

As a military veteran, Donald was trained to face war. Now, he is engaged in a war with hunger. Sometimes, Donald just doesn’t have food to eat.

He does his best to get by, but that’s not always an easy task. Just like in combat, Donald has to fight a daily battle of hunger. And he wants to win.

That’s why he’s so glad he can rely on friends like you for help. Thanks to your generosity, Northern Illinois member agencies can provide food for anyone who is hungry, including military veterans like Donald.

With the holidays approaching, your support impacts so many lives. Your generosity can mean the difference between going hungry during the holidays or having a full plate.

Donald has so much appreciation for the food he receives.

“Thank you for giving. It means a lot,” he says.

Because you choose to give, you’re changing lives across Northern Illinois both for the holidays and year-round. What you do matters to our neighbors in need, including veterans.

Hunger Action Month

Hunger Action Month is a hit!

E very September, Northern Illinois Food Bank asks community members to take

action to solve hunger. This year, nearly 20 events took place throughout our service area. From community-wide food drives to Poverty Simulations, Pack-a-thons held at our Northwest Center (Rockford) and North Suburban Center (Park City) to every agency, company, family, and individual who wore orange to raise awareness, it is obvious the people of Northern Illinois want to ensure their neighbors have the food they need and deserve! Thank you to all who joined us for Hunger Action Month!

Hunger Action Month highlights from across the Northern Illinois Food Bank network include, but are not limited to:

• President and CEO Julie Yurko was featured alongside Kate Maehr, CEO of Greater Chicago Food Depository on September 1 to kick off Hunger Action Month in an interview for the ABC 7 Eyewitness News 11am by Terrell Brown and Tracy Butler.

• Fifteen restaurant partners across our service area helped us ‘Pass the Plate’ throughout September by accepting cash donations and introducing specials where proceeds benefited the Food Bank.

• Four Poverty Simulations were hosted by Judson, Aurora and Benedictine Universities throughout the month.

• The Elgin Cooperative Ministry invited the residents of Elgin to attend their first hunger summit at the Gail Borden Public Library to learn

about the complex nature of hunger, how the community is currently working to address the issue, and how everyone can get involved. The Food Bank was honored to be a participant in this event, which had more than 70 attendees.

• A display case at Crete Public Library was orange all month for Hunger Action Month. The display informed visitors of the issue of hunger and asked them to take action and it worked: the library collected three shopping carts full of food!

• The iconic American Eagle at Six Flags Great America lit up orange through the month in honor of Hunger Action Month!

• Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Executive Women’s Council held a Commuter Blitz food drive at Naperville’s 5th Ave train station in the early hours of Go Orange Day. For their inaugural Blitz, they collected over 300 pounds of food and nearly $150 in cash donations!

Joe and Katherine Triolo have

spent a lifetime helping others.

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Leaving a legacy of two lifetimes

Joe proudly displays his awards from his time in the US Navy.

Between Katherine and Joseph Triolo, they have lived more than 198 years, but one of their most memorable days was July 13, 2017. Just a few weeks

before Katherine’s 101st birthday, the couple decided to distribute part of their estate and make major gifts to seven non-profit and educational organizations. “At this point in our lives, material things don’t matter to us,” Joe explained. “We decided to give our money while we are still living.”

Northern Illinois Food Bank is a grateful beneficiary of a generous gift from the

Zion, Illinois-based couple who describe themselves as “good savers.” Their $510,000 gift – the Food Bank’s second largest individual donation ever – will have a lasting impact on the Northern Illinois community. Not only will the Triolos’ gift help open the Food Bank’s new South Suburban Center in Joliet, it will also help feed thousands of hungry neighbors in Lake County where they reside.

“This extraordinary gift from Joseph and Katherine will enable the Food Bank to make great strides toward solving hunger in Northern Illinois,” said Julie Yurko, President & CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “The fact that they

decided to do this now, while we have an opportunity to thank them in person and share the results of how their gift makes a difference, is such a blessing to me, our staff and our hungry neighbors.”

Katherine and Joe’s story began back in 1954, when Joe was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station and Katherine was working at Abbott Labs. They first met one evening when Katherine and her friends visited a North Chicago hot spot known for attracting young sailors.

Fast forward to today, and they have been happily married for more than 62

¾If you would like to talk about making a gift to the Food Bank that will leave a lasting impact, contact Gina Gramarosso, Senior Development Officer, at 630/443-6910, ext. 130 or ggramarosso@northernilfoodbank.org

years, living in North Chicago for most of their marriage.

Joe is the son of Italian immigrants who settled in West Virginia where his father worked in the coal mines. Katherine was born in Arizona, and her family moved to North Chicago when she was just three years old for her father’s work, and from then on she has lived in Lake County.

Joe served in the US Navy for 21 years, leaving as a Chief Boatswain's Mate before starting a career as a teacher at North Chicago High School until his retirement in 1991. Katherine worked in the business department of Abbott Labs, where she first started investing through the company’s stock buying option.

According to Joe, it was a combination of Katherine’s disciplined saving and savvy investing, as well as an inheritance from her sister, that helped position them to become philanthropists earlier this year.

When they became interested in learning more about charitable organizations in the

Chicagoland area to consider supporting, their friend David Lee introduced the couple to Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“Initially, Joe and Katherine were making plans to make gifts to these organizations in their estate, but decided to make the gifts now,” said Lee. This way, the Triolos could see the immediate positive impact of their contributions.

Thanks to his own recent volunteer and charitable experiences, David didn’t hesitate in mentioning Northern Illinois Food Bank as one of the organizations on the short list.

When asked about their legacy, the Triolos say they are blessed to be able to make these donations.

“Meeting Joe and Katherine is one of the highlights of my time at the Food Bank,” said Yurko. “They represent all that is good about the people of Northern Illinois, and to say that we are overwhelmed with gratitude to them is an understatement.”

Julie Yurko and David Lee visit with Joe and

Katherine after they made their generous donation.

YOU MATTER TO US

I n this issue of The Full Plate, we feature David Lee, a long-time supporter of

Northern Illinois Food Bank through The Lee Family Foundation. In addition to his own support, he recently recommended to Katherine and Joseph Triolo that they make a donation to the Food Bank (see accompanying story, Leaving a legacy of two lifetimes).

Since 2014, David Lee has been financially supporting Northern Illinois Food Bank through his family foundation and through his dedicated volunteerism. He serves on the planning committee of the Food Bank’s annual Stars & Cars gala fundraiser, and has introduced many donors to the Food Bank over the years.

Earlier this summer, David helped St. Elizabeth Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen in Rockford receive a gently used stove, refrigerator and prep station that a construction company was removing from a remodeling project in Evanston.

“We are grateful that David thought of the Food Bank when he heard about this equipment,” said Gina Gramarosso, Senior Development Officer. “Refrigeration is one of the top non-food needs of our agencies, and the stove and prep stations are a blessing to the soup kitchen, which serves over 700 meals each month.”

On the same day that David introduced Joe and Katherine Triolo to Julie Yurko, he later distributed donated backpacks to kindergarteners in North Chicago with the Kiwanis Foundation of Lake Bluff & Lake Forest, of which he is a member. The affiliated Kiwanis Club of Lake Bluff & Lake Forest is also a new donor to the Food Bank thanks to David’s involvement.

The Lee Family Foundation once again matched gifts received at the Stars & Cars event on October 11, which raised $152,600 for our hungry neighbors.

www.SolveHungerToday.org

The Triolos’ Story

The Clarke team focuses on sinking the putt on the 10th green.

®AROUND THE FOOD BANK

www.SolveHungerToday.org

Former Chicago Bear Roland Harper stopped to pose for a photo in front of our photo backdrop, provided by presenting sponsor Walmart.

The winner of our Heads or Tails raffle game celebrates her win!

Staley, the Chicago Bears mascot, along with all the former Chicago Bears, pose for a photo with Brian McCaskey, and event emcees Tom Thayer and Jeff Joniak.

Stars and Cars Co-Chair Brian McCaskey visits the Main Street Social tasting table, one of 17 tasting stations at the event.

Thanks to all who joined us August 22 for the 19th annual Hunger Scramble Golf Outing presented by West Suburban Bank, and to everyone that helped make the event a success. Save the date for next year’s outing on August 21, 2018 at Cantigny Golf Club.

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One of the foursomes from presenting sponsor West Suburban Bank pose for a photo with the Food Bank's selfie frame.

The team from Exelon, sponsors of the 19th Hole Reception, pause to pose for a photo on the scenic course.

The Fischer Paper Products team show off the most festive pants of the outing!

At the 5th Stars and Cars event, Co-Chairs Brian McCaskey and Steve Foley Jr., and a record number of attendees helped raise $152,600, which equates to more than $1.2 million worth of groceries for our hungry neighbors. We are so grateful for your continued support!

®

Event guests, such as former Chicago Bear Ray McElroy, enjoyed the luxurious cars in the Steve Foley Motors showroom.

Representatives from sponsor ACE Bakery enjoy the food, drinks, and ambiance.

®

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

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273 DEARBORN COURT GENEVA, ILLINOIS 60134

Save the date for our 2018 events!

ONGOINGHost an online Food & Fund Drive this holiday season! Giving Matters – this season and always. When you’re hosting holiday celebrations, consider asking your family and friends to bring their favorite side and donation to Northern Illinois Food Bank. Every $1 donated will provide $8 in groceries. Make it even easier by creating an online holiday fundraiser at www.SolveHungerToday.org/FoodandFundDrive

APRILFoodie 5K Wheaton

Saturday, April 7 – 9 a.m. Cantigny Park, WheatonJoin us as we kick off our 5th annual Foodie 5K season at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, the first of three races, featuring a post-run festival with entertainment, food trucks and a kids’ zone to benefit Northern Illinois Food Bank. To register or learn more, visit www.SolveHungerToday.org/Foodie5K.

See our complete calendar of events at www.SolveHungerToday.org

Upcoming Activities

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to find out the latest happenings at the Food Bank

Send comments/questions about articles in this issue to communications@northernilfoodbank.org

MARCHA Cup of Hope, Hosted by Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Executive Women’s Council

Sunday, March 4Hotel Arista, NapervilleGuests will enjoy sparkling wine and an extensive selection of loose teas, finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, pastries and scones while learning about the farm to table movement and designing with edibles, and will have the opportunity to win themed raffle prizes. To register or learn more, visit www.SolveHungerToday.org/CupofHope.