New funding from Edward-Elmhurst Health will help nonprofit Loaves & Fishes expand the distribution of healthy food to those in need in Will and DuPage counties.

The project is being supported through Edward-Elmhurst Health’s Community Investment Fund. In July 2022, Edward-Elmhurst Heath awarded $3,994,000 to 14 organizations across Cook, DuPage and Will Counties with the goal of advancing health equity and supporting local economic growth.

For 38 years, Loaves & Fishes has provided healthy food and resources to ensure struggling families have access to nutritious food and can become self-sufficient. The organization serves approximately 6,000 people each week across DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties. In 2021, the organization provided more than 4.5 million pounds of food.

“We are focused on physical health, mental health and financial health,” said Nancy Wiersum, Executive VP Advancement for Loaves & Fishes.

In the fall of 2021, Loaves & Fishes opened a new Food Distribution Hub in Aurora for food storage and processing. This Hub distributes food to the organization’s various “spokes” in surrounding communities, including their grocery market in Naperville where people can order food online for curbside pickup.

Loaves & Fishes received funding to develop its the software for ordering food online, this has been made available to other food pantries in order to be part of the larger solution to food insecurity.

The grant from Edward-Elmhurst Health will fund the purchase of a second refrigerated box truck as well as a mobile food market truck - an initiative unique to Loaves & Fishes. The truck will serve as a kind of farmers market on wheels, bringing fresh produce to communities experiencing food insecurity.

“Our goal is to reach people where they are,” said Wiersum.

According to Wiersum, this project addresses access to healthy foods as a social determinant of health.

“Research shows that a poor diet means you are more likely to experience a number of possibly preventable chronic health issues,” she said. Not only does providing healthier food help prevent these kinds of illnesses, but it frees up funds for rent, childcare, transportation and other expenses.

“We are grateful for this incredibly aligned partnership with Edward-Elmhurst Health,” said Wiersum. “We share a commitment to healthy communities.”

Learn more about Edward-Elmhurst’s Community Investment Fund partners.