The Lattof YMCA Part Of Metro Wide Food Collection

The lattof PART OF Metro-wide
HEALTHY FOODS COLLECTION in Honor of Martin luther king, jr. Day

Y’s Hope to Collect 10,000 Pounds of Healthy Foods to Help Stock Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank

January 12, 2012 – the Lattof YMCA is teaming up with Ys across the city and suburbs for a week-long, Metro-wide food drive starting on Martin Luther King Jr., Day to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

King’s philosophy was one of inclusion, particularly including those less fortunate. According to the GCFD, nearly 142,000 hungry men, women and children rely on the Food Depository every week, with 37 percent of those served being children. Northern Illinois Food Bank will serve more than 500,000 people this year across its 13-county service area, up 168 percent from 2006.

The Lattof YMCA and other Ys of Metro Chicago facilities will rally together staff and members in hopes of collecting 10,000 pounds of food. Because of the Y’s commitment to healthy living through nutrition and physical activity programs, policies and initiatives, healthy foods are being sought for this drive.

“Ten-thousand pounds of food is an ambitious goal, but there’s no organization better suited to meet this need. With more than 146,000 members, 7,500 volunteers and 4,000 staff, I’m confident that together we’ll be able to make a great impact,” said Dick Malone, president and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

While many food drives occur around the holidays, the need continues year-round, and the need for healthy foods is even more important. The U.S. Department of Agriculture uses the term ‘food insecurity’ to describe the lack of access to nutritious food in communities across the county, and according to a study released by the GCFD in September 2011 one in five individuals in Chicago alone is experiencing food insecurity. Low-income neighborhoods often have the added burden of being “food deserts” where access to stores with healthy foods is limited or non-existent.

“We face a great need for food donations as the number of individuals visiting food pantries has risen by 58 percent in the last three years,” said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO, Greater Chicago Food Depository. “We are proud to partner with the YMCA and its strong network of member centers to help re-stock pantry shelves after the holiday season.”

“Many of our suburban neighbors are finding themselves in a situation they never thought they’d face: jobless, underwater on mortgages, and struggling to feed their families,” said Pete Schaefer, president and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank. “With more than 500,000 people across our 13-county area relying on Northern Illinois Food Bank and our network partners to meet their basic nutritional needs, we are grateful to the Y and its generous members for their support. Community partnerships such as the Y’s food drive are critical to our mission of feeding our hungry neighbors.”

“We are proud to be teaming up with our colleagues and Y members across the city and suburbs to take on this challenge,” said David Rodriguez executive director of the Lattof Y

The Y is about changing lives for the better, and we are excited to be stocking the shelves for such a great cause.”

The food banks are seeking items such as whole grain pasta, canned-in-water chicken or tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, reduced-sodium soup, peanut butter and pasta sauce.

Individuals are encouraged to drop off donations at the Des Plaines Lattof YMCA located at 300 E. Northwest Hwy. Des Plaines, IL 60016 or any Y of Metro Chicago location (ymcachicago.org/locations/) between Martin Luther King’s birthday, Monday, January 16, and Monday, January 23.

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About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: The Y is Chicagoland’s leading nonprofit strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Through its 25 member centers, five camps and hundreds of extension sites, the Y of Metro Chicago helps children learn and grow, teaches young people to lead, brings families closer, and encourages individual health and wellbeing. As one of the largest and oldest/most established cause-driven organizations/nonprofits in Chicago, YMCA programs impact hundreds of thousands of lives annually, helping to strengthen neighborhoods and respond to unique community needs across Chicagoland. To learn more, visit www.ymcachicago.org.

About the Greater Chicago Food Depository: The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 69 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 145,000 meals every day. The Food Depository’s programs and services for children, older adults and the unemployed and underemployed address the root causes of hunger. For more information, log onto chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

About Northern Illinois Food Bank: Northern Illinois Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is a non-profit organization that engages the community in a commitment to feed our hungry neighbors. Across 13 counties, food manufacturers, local groceries, corporations, foundations, and individuals come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to our 600 partner agencies – the food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and youth and senior feeding programs that serve more than 60,000 different people each week. That commitment provided 29 million meals last year to those in need. Find out how you can Volunteer – Donate – Get Involved at www.NorthernILFoodBank.org.