DuPage Credit Union Donates $15,000 to Local Food Banks

At DuPage Credit Union, supporting our neighbors is at the heart of who we are. As many families continue to feel the impact of recent reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), local food banks are seeing a growing number of people turning to them for help. To support these essential organizations and the communities they serve, we donated $15,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank.

To learn more about the current needs in our community and how our donation will make a difference, we spoke with Christine Fisher, Brand and Cause Marketing Manager at Northern Illinois Food Bank.

What motivates you personally to work in the food security space?
I chose to work in the food security space because of the mission and vision of Northern Illinois Food Bank. Every day I know the work we do helps someone in need. After all, we are all neighbors—some giving help, and some needing it—and being part of that cycle of support is deeply meaningful to me.

What is the mission of Northern Illinois Food Bank?
Our mission is to provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity, and convenience, through partnerships and innovation.

What has been the impact of cuts to SNAP funding?
With the recent SNAP cuts, we’re seeing a significant increase in neighbors and expecting an additional 100,000–115,000 visits in November alone. To meet this surge, we will need to distribute 10–12 million meals this [November 2025], which is a significant and unexpected increase.

• This spike in need will require an additional $3–$4 million in November, funding we had not planned to spend.
• The Food Bank is responding by adding more mobile distributions and pop-up sites to reach neighbors quickly.
• Our partner pantries and agencies are also preparing to purchase more food from us—where they can access it at the lowest possible cost.
• We were already anticipating higher demand this year and a substantial gap in resources. Even with the government reopening, the need will remain extremely high.

How will the Credit Union’s $15,000 donation be used to support your programs?
DuPage Credit Union’s generous $15,000 donation will help us secure even more food for our neighbors in need. Because every $1 donated provides $8 worth of groceries, your gift will supply an incredible $120,000 worth of nutritious food to families across Northern Illinois. We’re truly grateful for their partnership and commitment to helping our community thrive.

What are some initiatives that the Food Bank is focusing on in 2026?
We’ve launched our updated strategic plan, Thrive 2026–2030, which focuses on meeting today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow. This plan has three main objectives:

• Goal #1: Provide Help and Hope Today
  Deliver fresh, nutritious groceries to our neighbors so they have the food they need right now.
• Goal #2: Support Neighbors in Thriving Today and Tomorrow
  Build innovative partnerships across hunger relief, healthcare, and advocacy to help strengthen long-term stability for the communities we serve.
• Goal #3: Evolve the Food Bank for 2030
  Adapt and grow our operations to meet the needs of the future and ensure we’re ready for what’s ahead.

If people have the option, do you prefer food donations or monetary donations?
While we truly appreciate all support, monetary donations have the greatest impact. For every $1 donated, we can provide $8 worth of groceries for our neighbors across Northern Illinois — allowing us to stretch resources much further than a typical food purchase. That said, small food drives are still incredibly valuable. They help raise awareness about hunger in our community and remind people that no one in Northern Illinois should ever have to go without food. Both forms of support play an important role in our mission.

If someone wants to volunteer, what options do they have?
Visit SolveHungerToday.org to find your next volunteer shift, learn about our current needs, and discover ways you can advocate across Illinois to help bring hunger awareness to the forefront. Your involvement truly makes a difference!