Inspired by the generosity of its employees, Northwestern Medicine is donating $200,000 to area food banks. The Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank will each receive $100,000. Health system leaders thanked staff and surprised them with the total gift amount during Team NM employee volunteer events at four food bank locations on Saturday, Feb. 24th. Northwestern Medicine leadership was inspired to dedicate more funds to the food banks after more than 5,000 employees opted to donate the grocery gift certificates, they would have received as part of their holiday gifts. Thanks to those donations, employees raised more than $76,000. Leadership made the decision to increase the overall donation to further support employees’ dedication to the food banks. Employees who donated their grocery certificates were invited to volunteer at the food banks to see how their donations are used. Health system leaders surprised them with the announcement during their volunteer shifts at four food bank locations:

• Greater Chicago Food Depository

• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Geneva

• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Joliet

• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Lake Forest

Through donations of funds and volunteer time, Northwestern Medicine has provided the Northern Illinois Food Bank $5.6 million worth of groceries to people in need since 2015. Since 2020, Northwestern Medicine volunteers have packed over 10,000 pounds of food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Photo Credit: Northwestern Medicine