This week, about 20 leaders from organizations in the fight against food insecurity gathered at the Thriving Thistle. They represented food pantries, food banks, education institutions, healthy food programs, wellness organizations, and funders.
JDLF Gives will expand access to sustainable local food through the Farm to Food Pantry program. This program helps bring fresh, local produce to food pantries from local farmers, increasing healthy food access for people in need.
“The Farm to Food Pantry program is just the beginning,” said Cindy Tegtmeyer, committee chair. “The partnership with the Community Foundation will help us grow this program and start new programs. We want to move beyond the idea that any food is good food. If we are providing people in need with unhealthy food, that simply compounds their problems.”
JDLF Gives will also have a fund at the Community Foundation to support their mission to expand access to sustainable food. The fund was started with a grant that JDLF Gives received for the Farm to Food Pantry program.
“We’re excited to work with JDLF and the community to build a fund that helps bring more healthy choices to food pantries throughout Jo Daviess County,” said Eric Dregne, the Community Foundation’s president.
Anyone can contribute to the JDLF Gives fund, in any amount. Make a gift online on the Community Foundation website at www.cfjodaviess.com/give or by mailing a check to: Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County, P.O. Box 77, Elizabeth, IL 61028.
The Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County fosters giving and invests in communities in Northwest Illinois. At the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County, we strengthen the communities in our county by inspiring community members to give, making grants to strengthen nonprofits, and investing in long-term community initiatives.
JDLF Gives expands access to sustainable local food for the benefit of our community, economy, and environment. We envision healthier communities by connecting residents with local food, teaching them about the benefits of nutritious food, and showing them how to prepare that food. To learn more about our programs and the JDLF online farmers’ market, visit www.jdlf.org.
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