Have a heart to help
Working together to provide food security for the community of greater Elgin

About Us

Food for Greater Elgin is a new collaborative non-profit organization formed to address hunger in the greater Elgin community.


Since forming in January, 2011 we became an agency member of Northern Illinois Food Bank and have served over 10,655 emergency food visits from the Elgin area. 


Our goal is to serve hundreds of people each month through our new permanent facility at 1553 Commerce Drive in Elgin, opened in November, 2011.  We are currently averaging more than 830 families a month.  We are using innovative approaches to address the need, such as:

  • Offer families a choice of food items rather than pre-bagged groceries. Client choice has a proven record of lower food waste.  Food will be more accessible through expanded hours including evenings and weekends.
  • Acquire high quality food at a lower cost.  Through our partnerships and food rescue programs we will be able to acquire more than $5 worth of food for as little as $1.
  • Work together as a community.  Many Elgin churches, businesses, schools and social-service agencies are committed to supporting Food for Greater Elgin through funding, volunteers and shared programs.  

Learn how you can help our mission to work together to provide food security for the people of greater Elgin.

Executive Director, Sue Ericson
With years of community hunger action experience as the former director of development for Northern Illinois Food Bank, Sue leads community collaboration, programming and fundraising efforts for Food for Greater Elgin.

Board of Directors
Steve Hendrickson (Chairman), Shales McNutt Construction 
Scott G. Richmond (Vice Chair), Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel PC
Ralph Kuhn (Treasurer), Business Consultant
Thomas Fordonski (Secretary) John B. Sanfilippo & Son 
Joann Hartmann, Elgin Cooperative Ministry
Donald Hopp, Hopp Accounting & Tax
Rev. James Marks, Pastor at Bethesda Church
Marilou Pilman, Grand Victoria Casino
Rob Sarlls, John B. Sanfilippo & Son 
Mike Warren, Rieke Office Interiors
Kristi Wisdom, Wisdom Family Foundation, Wisdom Adhesive