Northern Illinois Food Bank marks 40 years with founder's day event

GENEVA, Ill. (WLS) -- The Northern Illinois Food Bank is marking 40 years of helping feed its neighbors with an inaugural founder's day event at its headquarters in west suburban Geneva.

Their founder, Sister Rosemarie Burian, would have turned 87 Thursday.

"Sister Rosemarie founded our food bank back in 1983, after having a vision of wanting to help those suffering, those in poverty here in DuPage County," Northern Illinois Food Bank President Julie Yurko said.

Her vision of feeding the hungry has now grown to providing 80 million meals a year to people across 13 counties in northern Illinois.

Volunteers and long-time friends of Burian gathered Thursday to remember her and the reason for the cause.

"My wife and I have a couple of young friends that are in need even in DuPage county. It's everywhere, the need," said Todd Ringenberg, a volunteer of 15 years.

Part of Thursday's ceremony included unveiling a new bench and meditation garden right outside the food bank. Local Girl Scouts made it to remember Burian on her birthday, but volunteers said her legacy already lives on in so many other places.

"A culture has been built here of 'hey let's help our neighbor no matter who they are because you never know who's going to be in trouble,'" said Jon Habegger, a volunteer of 20 years.

The food bank said it is serving 60% more people than it was before the pandemic.

"We are seeing more and more folks coming to us, and we are doing everything we can to provide enough fresh and nutritious food for them, but it is daunting," Yurko said. "Rosemarie would say keep at it. You got it, go out and find those that are willing to help and help them see they can do more."

The food bank is always in need of volunteers.

For more information, visit solvehungertoday.org.