Initiatives
Initiatives
Seniors
Seniors – Purpose
- To improve the food security of our seniors by ensuring that they have access to nutritionally-balanced meals and food sources.
Seniors – Goals
- The first priority is to “Bring Seniors to Food” by providing transportation for seniors to the food pantry or other sources of food.
Seniors – Activities
- Since October 2018, through the use of the North Suburban YMCA van, we are transporting seniors from Crestwood Place in Northbrook to the Northfield Township Food Pantry on a bi-monthly basis.
Seniors – Solution Team
- Leader: Bob Caldwell
- Members: Gabe Fleischer, Mary Hansen, Wayne Karlins, Martha McGuire, Ellen Mirochnick, Dale Mengarelli, Karen Hinz, Manijeh Bayzaee, Gary Eisenstein
Bringing Seniors to Food Testimonial
“When things were at their lowest, I was too proud to ask for help,” recalls Joan, an 82-year old resident at Crestwood Senior apartments in Northbrook and former U.S. marine. When Bob Caldwell from Hunger Resource Network/HungerFree Northbrook and Jill Brickman, from the Northfield Food Pantry, came to talk to the seniors about their services, I thought I’d give it a shot. Many had no idea that the resource was so close and accessible. Joan figured she should just do some paperwork and determine if she qualified, “why not”? Now she doesn’t worry about where her next meal will come from. She gets groceries from the pantry twice a month to supplement what she buys from the local Jewel-Osco. Joan still drives and is proud to say she’s been helping take residents to the grocery store and also to educate them about the food pantry.When asked what her favorite part about the Northfield Food Pantry is, she said without hesitation and wearing a large smile, “the people, they are just so nice and willing to help”. She was surprised at the variety of foods available at the pantry from fresh fruit and bread to milk, butter, eggs and fresh meat”. She’s grateful for their service as well as of Hunger Free Northbrook and the North Suburban YMCA for their support in educating the seniors and transporting them to the food bank on a bi-monthly basis, through their effort, “Bring Seniors to Food”.
Food Recovery
Food Recovery – Purpose
- Ensure that surplus food from our hospitals, restaurants, business cafeterias and catering operations goes to those in need
Food Recovery – Goal
- The first priority is to connect any available excess food from our local hospitals and businesses to the food pantry
Food Recovery – Activities
- Since August 2018, Glenbrook Hospital has been donating surplus food from their cafeteria and convenience shop to the Northfield Township Food Pantry
- Since December 2018, Skokie Hospital has been donating surplus food from their cafeteria and convenience shop to the Niles Township Food Pantry
- Since February 2019, Medline has been donating surplus food from their cafeteria and catering operations to the Northfield Township Food Pantry
- Since March 2019, Allstate has been donating surplus food from their cafeteria and catering operations to the Northfield Township Food Pantry
Food Recovery – Solution Team
- Leaders: Tensley Garris, President Northbrook Chamber of Commerce; Jill Brickman, Northfield Township Supervisor
- Members: Bob Caldwell, Kris Gorenberg, Greg Irving, Dan Jariabka, Harley Korman
Students and Their Families
Student and Their Families Purpose
- To develop long-term partnerships with Northbrook schools in order to: 1) close the gaps in the food supply of our students and their families by providing quality food on weekends, holidays, school breaks and summer and 2) assist the Northfield Township Food Pantry with its mission-critical needs.
Students and Their Families – Goal
- The first priority is to provide students and their families who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program in our Northbrook schools with access to nutritious food during the weekends, holidays, school breaks and summer.
Students and Their Families – Activity
- Beginning later this year, through the donation of time, talent and treasure of Northbrook residents, we will begin to provide packages of food and personal care items to students and their families in need.
Students and Their Families – Solution Team
- Leaders: Michael Garlin, Executive Director, Beth Shalom and Larry Hewitt, Superintendent, District 28
- Members: Melissa Hirsch, Marilyn Thompson, Mike Tarjan, Dominic Milano, Theresa Fournier, Beth Stencel, Sara Weinstein, Jose Gonzalez, Brian Halveland, Herb Brenner, Carla Martens
Research
Research – Purpose
- Understand the food security, nutrition needs, and NTFP* eligibility of specific Northbrook resident segments by conducting surveys and focus groups to inform then track solutions.
Research – Goals
- Locate households that are at risk for being food insecure through confidential channels to conduct surveys and focus groups to understand the food security needs and nutrition needs
- Synthesize findings and make recommendations on the needed programs to the specific solutions teams.
- Track feedback and effectiveness of the solutions deployed as required.
Research – Activities
- Summer 2018, survey and focus groups were conducted with seniors in senior living locations to ascertain the needs, qualifications, and desire for transportation from central Northbrook locations to the Northfield Township Food Pantry on a bi-weekly basis.
- Winter 2019, survey and focus groups underway with families receiving free and reduced lunches in Northbrook public and private schools to assess needs, qualifications, current food resources, and desires for access to the Northfield Township Food Pantry especially during non-school periods.
- Work with Communications team to uncover other segments of the community in need of supplemental nutritious food.
Research – Solution Team
- Leader: Patti Marshman-Goldblatt
- Members: Nancy Vaccaro, Jill Orum, Nate Unterman, Paula Harris, PJ Weiland, Sandy Frum, Barb Strand, Marilyn Thompson
Communication
Communication Purpose:
- Develop, execute, and maintain a communication strategy to build awareness of the hunger challenge in Northbrook and the solutions underway to help improve food security in Northbrook and beyond.
- Communicate the work being done to establish a Hunger Free Northbrook.
Communication Goals:
- Coordinate all partners, solution teams, patrons, and community stakeholders’ communication vehicles to carry Hunger Free Northbrook messaging and links via all digital platforms.
- Develop messaging for partner, solution providers, patrons & volunteers
Communication Activities:
- Develop first phase of Hunger Free Northbrook foundational messaging and digital assets.
- Develop stories, testimonials, and updates for the website and keep it fresh and up to date.
Communication Team:
- Leader: Bob Tucker
- Team Members: Martha Carlos, Adriana Kelly, Marilyn Thompson, PJ Weiland, Marcy Kirshenbaum, Gail Eisenberg, Ron Goldblatt, Bill Kirkpatrick, Michelle Ruben
How To Participate
Get Involved
We are looking for Northbrook businesses to join our fight to make Northbrook a Hunger Free Community
Donate
Everyone in the community can help. If you could supply your time, talent or donation, you can make a difference.