Beyond Hunger

In addition to shelf-stable items like canned vegetables, fruits, and soups, all pantry shoppers and home delivery customers can choose from a variety of other kitchen staples such as bread, dairy, deli meats and cheeses, and more! #GoBeyondHunger #endhungernow

At Beyond Hunger, we recognize the farmers and agricultural workers who make it possible for families in our community to put nourishing meals on the table. We are especially grateful to the BIPOC growers and local farmers we partner with—working together to build a more equitable and sustainable food system. Today, we celebrate their dedication, innovation, and hard work. Join us in supporting local agriculture and ensuring fresh, nutritious food reaches every plate. #GoBeyondHunger #NationalAgDay #SupportLocalFarms #FoodJustice #BIPOCFarmers

It's Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day, and a great time to highlight our Nutrition Education team! Unique to food pantries in the Chicagoland area, Beyond Hunger is honored to have 2 registered dietitians on staff, Bri and Maria. These two are a powerhouse when it comes to incorporating nutrition and health education for our community. With their guidance, the majority of each box of groceries we distribute fall into a highly nutritious category, including fresh and seasonal produce. We are also able to host cooking classes and food demos, cohorts of Health Ambassadors, and attend farmer's markets in the area. Bri and Maria, and RDNs everywhere are indispensable providers of food and nutrition services, and are committed to helping people enjoy healthy lives ???? #GoBeyondHunger #RDN #healthyfood #healthyeating #endhungernow

Let's talk about Food Is Medicine (FIM) ????! FIM refers to the idea that food and nutrition play a fundamental role in preventing, managing, and even treating chronic diseases. It emphasizes using food as a tool for health, much like medicine, by ensuring people have access to nutrient-dense meals that support their well-being. What does it look like? FIM can include medically tailored meals/groceries to meet a variety of health needs for people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, etc. Some doctors even "prescribe" certain foods to patients, often partnering with local food organizations (like Beyond Hunger!). As healthcare costs continue to rise, FIM is crucial in helping to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall health burdens. #GoBeyondHunger #FoodIsMedicine #NationalNutritionMonth #endhungernow

The weather is gloomy but our volunteers sure aren't! We are seeing more shoppers are the pantry than we have in our 45-year history. Consider picking up a shift and encouraging friends and family to volunteer with us! #GoBeyondHunger #volunteer #endhungernow

March is National Nutrition Month! This year's theme is "Food Connects Us." We asked our community of volunteers, program participants, staff and more to share the ways that food has connected them in their lives. Our student intern, Martin, has collected those stories and placed them on the bulletin board in our community market for all to see! You can fill out the Google Form in our bio to share your story, and to be featured on our wall. #GoBeyondHunger #NationalNutritionMonth #FoodConnectsUs #endhungernow

WE'RE HIRING Beyond Hunger is hiring for our Pantry Programs Assistant role. In this job, you'll support our Pantry programs by engaging with staff and volunteers to create a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment for everyone at Beyond Hunger. Learn more about this position and how to apply by visiting the link in our bio, or apply directly on LinkedIn. #GoBeyondHunger #endhungernow

What hunger-related issues are we keeping an eye on in the news? Nearly 1 in 4 undergrad students are experiencing food insecurity. Community college students, parenting students, and students of color are disproportionately affected. Due to SNAP's difficult and burdensome requirements, many college students are ineligible to receive the resources they need to address their hunger. The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) has put together wonderful materials to learn more about the actions YOU can take to increase SNAP benefits for college students. Take a look at their page or visit the link in our bio ?? Thank you to GCFD for this research. #GoBeyondHunger #ChicagosFoodBank #GCFD #SNAPBenefits #endhungernow

You can find us out in the community this weekend! ?? Join us at OPRF THIS EVENING for Empty Bowls! Support hardworking students, local shops, and many great organizations. ?? We are thankful to be honored at Housing Forward's Have A Heart Gala tonight as the Community Partner awardee. ?? Shop at any Wildfork Chicagoland this weekend and mention Beyond Hunger to have 15% of your purchase go directly to our programs. There are many ways to make an impact, and we are thankful to our community partners for always working to uplift one another. #GoBeyondHunger #OPRF #HousingForward #WildFork #endhungernow

NEW STAFF ALERT We are excited to introduce you to Allison, our new Home Delivery Program Assistant! Allison started with just a few weeks ago and is already making a big difference. In her role she connects one-on-one with Home Delivery customers, and supports our HD team in effectively executing all facets of the program. Allison is an Oak Parker, and loves spending time with her family and her dog, Marty McFly. Please join is welcoming Allison to the Beyond Hunger team, and make sure to say hi the next time you see her! #GoBeyondHunger #newstaffalert #endhungernow