Abbott Fund Grants $250,000 to Combat Childhood Hunger in Illinois

Abbott and its philanthropic branch, the Abbott Fund, are collaborating with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to address the growing issue of childhood hunger in the region. This fall, the Abbott Fund is contributing $250,000 to support the food bank’s BackPack Program, which provides essential weekend meals to children facing food insecurity across Northern Illinois.

Childhood hunger poses a significant challenge, with statistics indicating that one in nine children in the region experiences food insecurity, reflecting a troubling 32% increase since 2019. The BackPack Program aims to mitigate this issue by supplying children with backpacks filled with nutritious, shelf-stable food every Friday or before school holidays. Each backpack is designed to provide enough food to sustain the child and up to three family members throughout the weekend.

Melissa Brotz, president of the Abbott Fund and senior vice president of Global Marketing and External Affairs at Abbott, emphasized the importance of addressing this crisis: “No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Nutrition is foundational to health, and we’re proud to support Northern Illinois Food Bank and invite others to join us – whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word.”

In addition to financial backing, Abbott employees are actively participating in a packing event at the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s facility in Lake Forest. They are assisting in the preparation of backpacks for distribution to children in need.

Impact of the BackPack Program

For nearly two decades, the Abbott Fund has played a crucial role in supporting the work of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, helping to deliver vital food and programming to children, families, and communities. The BackPack Program is entirely funded through private donations, and the contribution from the Abbott Fund will facilitate the provision of weekly backpacks to 2,000 children. This initiative is expected to yield approximately 225,000 nutritious meals for kids and their families during the current school year.

Children eligible for participation in the program are identified by school staff, who observe signs of chronic hunger or possess knowledge of family needs. “The BackPack Program is a vital resource for children who may otherwise go without adequate nutrition when school is not in session,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. “Now more than ever, we’re turning to partners, like Abbott, to help. This generous grant enables us to continue serving thousands of students and their families, giving them access to the food they need to thrive.”

For further information about the BackPack Program and ways to support childhood nutrition initiatives, interested individuals can visit solvehungertoday.org/child-nutrition-programs.