Food For Thought Kane County - Volunteers Are the Heart of Hunger Relief

For the past 25 years, Shannon Thompson has helped connect people with a simple way to make a difference: volunteering at Northern Illinois Food Bank.

As Director of Volunteers, Thompson helps oversee the team who recruit and coordinate approximately 1,000 volunteers each week who sort, pack, and distribute food that ultimately helps provide more than 93 million meals annually across the food bank's 13-county service area.

The food reaches people through a network of food pantries, mobile markets, and community partners. But Thompson says it's important to remember who those meals are serving.

"We call them our neighbors," she said. "Because we are all neighbors when it comes down to it."

Hunger doesn't discriminate, Thompson explained.

"It's not a certain type of person that hunger affects. It affects everyone," she said. "And we need volunteers all year long because hunger doesn't choose seasons either."

Most volunteers spend two to three hours at the food bank's warehouse sorting and packing food. Volunteers must be at least 8 years old, and the primary physical requirement is the ability to stand for most of the shift and a willingness to help make a difference in the lives of others.

Others volunteer at outdoor food distributions and Mobile Markets, helping neighbors access the food they need. Volunteers can participate individually or as part of a group, and many discover that serving others also helps combat social isolation and creates meaningful connections.

The impact of volunteers is difficult to overstate.

Volunteers account for nearly one-third of the food bank's workforce, contributing approximately 150,000 hours of service annually—the equivalent of about 70 full-time employees.

Thompson has seen a growing number of businesses embrace volunteerism as part of their community engagement efforts. Volunteering together gives employees the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while strengthening relationships, building teamwork, and connecting around a shared purpose.

While people arrive for different reasons, many stay because of the experience.

"It's hard to put into words the feeling volunteers experience," Thompson said. "People come for different reasons, but often they stay because of the relationships they build and the reality that they're making an impact in the life of someone they'll probably never meet."

She noted that while food donations are essential, volunteers are what turn those donations into meals.

"We can fill our building with the generosity of donations, but if we don't have volunteers to help move it out the door, it doesn't make the impact it's meant to."

Over the years, Thompson has heard countless stories from volunteers, many of whom are simply trying to pay forward kindness they once received themselves.

"You can look at somebody and have no idea they're struggling," she said.

A lot has changed since Thompson joined Northern Illinois Food Bank 25 years ago, but one thing remains constant.

"The thing that hasn't changed is the heart of the people who volunteer," she said. "People have thousands of places they could volunteer, so I always feel grateful when they choose Northern Illinois Food Bank."

While the organization recruits through social media, email campaigns, and advertising, Thompson says its most effective recruitment tool remains simple: word of mouth.

"People trust their friends and family to direct them to a good experience."

With food prices remaining high and many families continuing to face economic challenges, Thompson says the need for volunteers remains strong.

"Now is the time to get involved," she said. "There's not a better time to volunteer. The need hasn't gone away – in fact, it continues to grow. We are so grateful for any time people choose to volunteer."

Ready to help? Making a difference starts with just a few hours and it's as easy as the click of a mouse at https://solvehungertoday.org/how-to-help/volunteer/

ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK

For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Our vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, we serve our neighbors in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 320,000 meals a day. We bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. We also proudly partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Our distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet. Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn.​