UPDATE: Abbott has just announced a significant $250,000 donation to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, aimed at providing vital support to 300 families struggling with hunger in Lake County. This urgent initiative, part of the BackPack Program, ensures children receive enough food for nine to 11 meals over weekends when school meal services are unavailable.
The announcement was made on October 9, 2023, during a volunteer event at the food bank’s facility in Lake Forest, where 20 Abbott employees assembled food bags for distribution. “Good nutrition is essential for good health,” said Kathryn McKenzie, vice president of the Abbott Fund. “We want to help people live healthy lives.” This donation will facilitate the creation of approximately 225,000 meals over the next three months, addressing urgent food insecurity that has risen by 32% since 2019 in the region.
The BackPack Program fills a crucial gap for students from low-income households, especially as federal meal programs only provide support during school days. The program collaborates with 190 schools across nine northern Illinois counties, including Waukegan, Gurnee, and Zion. “We leave it to the social workers at the schools to decide who is in need,” explained Jessica Willis, child nutrition program manager for the food bank.
The initiative comes as childhood hunger rates have soared, exacerbated by the end of federal assistance post-COVID. “An additional 100,000 people have been impacted,” Lamplough stated, highlighting the dire need for ongoing support.
Food bags contain essential items such as pasta, canned proteins, and fruits, providing complete meals for families. As explained by Willis, the program ensures meal compatibility—if rice is included, for instance, so is beans, enhancing nutritional value.
The Woodland Community School District 50 in Gurnee, where approximately 42% of students are low-income, has praised the program’s impact. “It promotes stronger student attendance and engagement,” said communications manager Brooke Hagstrom, underscoring the program’s importance in supporting students’ overall wellbeing.
Abbott’s commitment extends beyond financial support. The company has been actively volunteering with the food bank for over two decades, logging around 375 volunteer hours annually. This hands-on involvement exemplifies their dedication to combating food insecurity in the community.
With the rising cost of food and inflation, the need for programs like the BackPack Program has never been more critical. As more families struggle to make ends meet, Abbott’s initiative serves as a beacon of hope, ensuring children have access to nutritious meals over the weekends.
Stay tuned for updates on how this program evolves and continues to make a difference in the lives of families in need.
