How the Hunger Resource Network Impacts & Connects with the Community


Loaves & Fishes

Loaves & Fishes is one of 100 organizations that participated in Hunger Resource Network’s Community Outreach Food Distribution Day November 11, 2023. Loaves & Fishes received two pallets of frozen chicken, enough to provide the protein portion of meals for 8,000 people. Pictured are 10-lb bags of chicken being distributed at the Loaves & Fishes Market in Naperville. The organization’s Melissa Luken said, “We are beyond appreciative and look forward to a strong partnership with Hunger Resource Network for years to come!”

Loaves & Fishes
Click to Donate One Time or Monthly
About the Hunger Resource Network

With your help we distribute 120,000 Pounds of chicken, to Chicagoland’s Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries.


DURING OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY, IN NOVEMBER, THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES DEPEND ON US TO HELP!


MORE ABOUT THE HUNGER RESOURCE NETWORK


  • We provide nutritious protein bi-annually to over 100 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across Chicagoland 


  • Since our beginning in 2009, we have distributed over 4 million pounds of food, the need is great to support our community.


  • Every $100 donation allows us to purchase approximately 200 pounds of chicken, the protein portion of over 400 meals.


  • We serve 160 local students who are on the free or reduced school lunch program with nutritious weekend meals.



Our Community Outreach Day on  Saturday, November 11, 2023 was a huge success.

Why donate or get involved.

The Hunger Resource Network mission is to aid in the alleviation of hunger by helping meet the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. We are an all-volunteer board. Since 2009, Hunger Resource Network has distributed over 4 million pounds of food to soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters in the Chicagoland area.

We are celebrating our 14th Anniversary in 2023 and are honored to continue to serve food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in the Chicago area.


Did You Know?


  • One in five children in the U.S. faces hunger. Source: Feeding America, Hunger in America Study
  • More than 49 million Americans live in food insecure households. Source: Ziliak, J.P. & Gundersen, C., The State of Senior Hunger in America
  • 9% of all seniors are food insecure. Source: Ziliak, J.P. & Gundersen, C., The State of Senior Hunger in America
  • Millions of working Americans must choose between buying food and paying rent. Millions of seniors must choose between buying food and paying for medications.
  • “You don’t have to go to a third world country to see hunger. Hunger is here! It’s in our communities and in our neighborhoods today and it will continue to be here tomorrow, unless we choose to make a difference.” Dan Jariabka, President, Hunger Resource Network

Hunger Resource Network Is On Facebook! Click To Visit Our Facebook Page→

 Hunger Resource Network


Please play the video to learn how Hunger Resource Network helps alleviate hunger in our community.

News

View What’s Happening At Hunger Resource Network

By Marcy Kirshenbaum 22 Oct, 2023
By addressing food insecurity and promoting adequate protein intake, we can improve the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. This requires collaborative efforts from governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based initiatives, and individuals to create sustainable solutions and break the cycle of food insecurity. Efforts should focus on improving access to nutritious food, promoting sustainable agriculture, fostering economic opportunities, and empowering vulnerable populations. Food insecurity has profound consequences on physical health, cognitive development, and overall well-being. When individuals or households experience food insecurity, they often struggle to access an adequate and diverse range of nutritious foods, including those rich in protein. Inadequate protein intake contributes to malnutrition and its associated health consequences. Protein is essential for growth , development, and maintenance of the body's tissues, as well as for numerous physiological processes. It plays a crucial role in building and repairing muscles, producing enzymes and hormones, supporting immune function, and maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. Protein intake has an additional benefit of reducing feelings of hunger because it metabolizes at a slower rate than carbohydrates thereby promoting fullness. Insufficient protein intake can lead to muscle wasting, increased illness, delayed wound healing, and decreased overall health and well-being.
By Kerry T. Smith 10 Oct, 2023
“Because of you, Franciscan Outreach is able to make a positive difference in the lives of so many who have nowhere else to turn for help and hope.” Executive Director, Franciscan Outreach, Chicago Hunger is not letting up even as inflation seems to slow To the surprise of many, food insecurity is not declining in the U.S. It’s hanging on as the last of the Covid-19 aid programs has ended and higher costs for some foods continues to strain American household budgets. Affordable housing shortages, higher interest rates, creeping energy costs, labor strikes, severe weather and the growing number of people being laid-off have all contributed to this surprising number of people who are having trouble putting food on their tables. The percentage of households across the U.S. who are food insecure is 10.2% with nearly 4% of those facing severe insecurity. Coming Events HRN Student Food Pack Program-­­Ongoing Free and reduced price school lunch programs are wonderful. But they’re not enough. So we provide nutritious, overflowing bags of food to every student we can. We have an amazing group of partner organizations including; Sunset Foods, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Northbrook Evangelical Covenant Church, Congregation Beth Shalom, The Village Presbyterian Church and the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce. But, we need lots more help to reduce the number of students coming to school on an empty stomach. Click here to donate or for more information. Community Outreach Food Delivery Day-Veterans Day, November 11 Once again thousands of pounds of nutritious frozen chicken will be sent winging its way to food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and churches all over Chicagoland. This year, for the first time ever, we will be distributing 132,000 pounds. That’s 12,000 more pounds of chicken than ever before! That comes to 264,000 protein servings for our neighbors in need. And, this year, on Veterans Day, we will be providing thousands of servings to our Veterans in need. There is a great feeling of accomplishment as we load up some 80 trucks, of all types and sizes, and send them on their way to hungry families in every corner of Chicagoland. Click here to contribute needed funds to continue our Community Outreach Days. For more information on HRN and these events click here or go to hungerresourcenetwork.org .
By Henry Fetta 06 Jul, 2022
Westmoor Elementary School - Sunday, July 16th from 10 am – 2 pm.
By Henry Fetta 06 Jul, 2022
We can’t do this work without you—our supporters
By Henry Fetta 12 Jul, 2021
Hunger exists in every community in America and Northbrook is no exception. There are almost 400 students in the Northbrook public schools who are on the free or reduced lunch program and are food insecure. Hunger Free Northbrook, a program of Hunger Resource Network (a Northbrook-based non-profit organization), is currently serving 160 of the 400 students across the twelve public elementary and middle schools in Northbrook. Local college and high school students have decided to help these 160 students in a special way this summer. You can help by bringing a Fun Bag to the event on Sunday, July 25th between 10am and 2pm. Samantha Mallahan, a junior pre-med student at Vanderbilt University and Erin Nibeck, who will be a freshman architecture student at the University of Illinois in Champaign are leading a team to help their neighbors in need.
By Marcy Kirshenbaum 16 Mar, 2021
Thirty to forty percent of the food in the United States goes to waste according to the USDA’s Economic Research Service. In fact, food is the largest class of waste that ends up in American landfills. You can help reduce this waste by freezing food to avoid spoilage. Frozen foods can be used for future full meals, side dishes or snacks. Meats are one of the most common foods frozen, however, freezing is also a great option for many other types of food: 1. Fresh Herbs Whether you grow herbs in your garden or buy them at a farmers market or grocery store, they spoil quickly. To avoid waste, remove the leaves and freeze them in a container. Another option is to chop and mix them with olive oil and freeze them in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop them out and store them in a container. They can be easily added to enhance sauces, meats or pasta.
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