Student Meal Donation Program Starts for New School Year
As Northbrook students return to school, the Chamber is excited to launch its initiative to provide healthy supplemental meals for children in need. Members are encouraged to donate bags of food that will be delivered each month to local schools by Hunger Resource Network.
The goal of the student meal initiative is to ensure that local children receiving federal free or reduced-price school lunches also have access to nutritious meals outside of school. The Chamber will collect bags with a nutritionist-approved list of food items. The estimated cost of each bag is $30-$40, depending on brands purchased. Bags are distributed through local schools to protect the privacy of recipients.
The Chamber has set a goal of 20 bags to be collected by the second Tuesday of each month. Grill House owner Nick Drivas has generously agreed to fulfill that goal for September, and Northbrook Bank & Trust Company has stepped up to meet the goal in January, March and May. Donations above that goal are also welcome! Sign up for one bag or more on any month by visiting the appropriate date on the Chamber’s event calendar.
“Our members are so generous, and we frequently hear about businesses looking for ways to get their employees involved in community service,” notes Kathi Quinn, Executive Director. “This program is an opportunity for members of all sizes to help fight hunger locally. Whether you purchase one bag or sponsor a shopping expedition for your employees to fill bags, you can be assured that you are making a difference right here in our community.”
Items should be placed in one double-bagged paper bag with handles to ensure safe transport. Donations may be delivered to the Chamber office the week before they are due, or dropped off at Hunger Resource Network at 3995 Commercial Avenue. Cash donations may also be made to fund the purchase of meal bags from Sunset Foods. For more information, contact Kathi Quinn, Chamber Executive Director, at kathi@northbrookchamber.org.