Emily was here from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.  Working across 13 counties in Northern Illinois, the food bank partners with food manufacturers, local groceries, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funds.  The food bank then evaluates and repacks food for distribution to multiple network partners – the food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and youth and senior feeding programs that serve more than 71,000 different people each week.   9% of the people served are over 60 with over 60% of them frequently making a choice between food and medicine; Over 36% served are children.  The food bank relies heavily on its volunteers to meet the huge need.  They utilize two mobile pantries and 135 of the pantries served are considered direct connect; this means they go directly to the over 320 stores that partner with the Food Bank.  To learn more visit solvehungertoday.org.  Thanks, Emily, for sharing this most important information with us!