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Community Corner

A Taste That Matters presented by Meijer provides major boost for Northern Illinois Food Bank

More than 400 guests enjoyed tastings from 18 local restaurants during a festive evening at A Taste That Matters presented by Meijer, an event to raise meals for hungry neighbors served by Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Gerald Melville, Regional Vice President of Operations, Meijer, and Maureen Mitchell, Market Director, Western Region, Meijer, chaired the third annual A Taste That Matters on May 8 at Drury Lane Oak Brook. Representatives from companies including Meijer, Fifth Third Bank, Hillshire Brands, Nicor Gas and Tate & Lyle mingled and bid on a wide variety of silent auction items throughout the evening. Proceeds from the event will allow Northern Illinois Food Bank to provide more than $1.5 million worth of groceries to hungry neighbors in 13 counties.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that provides food to more than 60,000 hungry neighbors each week through a network of 800 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs in northern Illinois. Last year, the Food Bank distributed the equivalent of 42 million meals. Recognized as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for 10 consecutive years, the Food Bank dedicates 97 percent of its resources to programs that feed hungry neighbors.

"Many nutritious meals will be provided to our hungry neighbors thanks to the generosity of those who attended and bid on silent auction items at A Taste That Matters. We are especially grateful to Gerald Melville, Maureen Mitchell and Meijer for their sponsorship of this event, which provided an entertaining night for attendees while helping Northern Illinois Food Bank provide more food for our neighbors in need," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank.

A Taste That Matters presented by Meijer was made possible through the support of Meijer, Fifth Third Bank, Hillshire Brands, Nicor Gas, Tate & Lyle, Associated Bank, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Centrella, Chicago Baking Company, Dahlstrom, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, Mazda, Navistar, Pepsico, Reinhart Foodservice, S. Rosen's, Sysmex, US Foods and Vienna Beef.

Restaurants participating in A Taste That Matters included Anthony's Own, Chef By Request, Drury Lane, Eddie Merlot's, Glen Prairie, Greek Islands, Heaven On Seven, Meson Sabika, Miss Dottie's Pound Cake, RA Sushi, Seasons 52, Tate & Lyle Chef, The Capital Grille, Weber Grill, Wildfire and Yerbabuena. Constellation Brands and MillerCoors provided libations.

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