In 2010, three streams of conversations emerged in the broader Elgin community that would soon meet and lead to the founding of Food For Greater Elgin.
- Willow Creek Community Church contacted the City of Elgin with the news that they were relocating their food pantry to a location further away from Elgin. This was significant because Willow was serving a substantial number of Elginites, and the City needed to be attentive to the problem.
- Elgin Cooperative Ministry, an interfaith coalition, was working to support its Soup Kettle program and food pantries but knew that more would be needed to meet the demand. Rev. James Marks of Bethesda Church of God in Christ and Joann Hartmann of Zion Lutheran Church were especially influential in the discussions. Rev. Marks was ‘doubly blessed’ with awareness because Bethesda was facing an overflowing demand for food assistance and his ‘day job’ as a bi-vocational minister was managing a Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
- The Funders Forum, a group of local business people who worked to boost and coordinate funding of nonprofits in the Elgin area, was concerned about what they saw as an inefficient collection of food pantries, each of which looked for funding from local businesses. Was there a more effective way?
Out of these conversations, an idea was born: create a single food pantry to serve the entire community.
Upon the urging of Susan Ericson and the Salvation Army’s Ken Nicoli, a board was formed. FFGE was incorporated in 2011 and obtained 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status. Susan Ericson was then hired as a consultant and then the initial executive director. She was followed by Michelle Frampton.
There were many people, organizations, and businesses who worked hard to bring FFGE into being and we cannot possibly discuss everyone’s contributions in one blog. But in recognition of our 10 year anniversary, we brought together a few of our early leaders to discuss their challenges, what they learned, and what they hope for the future for Food For Greater Elgin.
What were the biggest challenges that you faced in creating FFGE?
Rev. James Marks – Our biggest challenge was in getting others to believe that there was a big need in Elgin. Many people just didn’t see the problem of hunger because they weren’t looking for it, didn’t know how to recognize it when they say it. When we started talking about it, eyes were opened and people began to see the hunger that was all around us.
Sue Ericson – As a new concept – a large, client-choice, permanent food pantry – the challenge was to create community support, develop a Board of Directors, figure out food distribution logistics, raise money, build a volunteer core, and secure a warehouse. There was a lot of work! We used Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantries in school parking lots at first. Our Board of Directors and other Food For Greater Elgin volunteers were very active in working distributions, and numerous sponsors provided monetary support. We worked hard to ‘brand’ our Client Choice method where clients choose food rather than receiving bags of groceries. And then we needed to outfit a warehouse that mirrored a grocery store with pallets, grocery carts, refrigerators, freezers, and stations for volunteer support.
Mike Warren – At first we thought it was a good idea to consolidate all the pantries in town but then found resistance to that idea so we pivoted to supporting them with other resources.
Michelle Frampton – FFGE was on the ground floor of changing how food insecurity was addressed in its region. Moving away from the pre-selected, limited, “bagged” or “boxed” food was a beautiful step in the direction aimed at honoring choice, dignity, and the right to nutritious, plentiful food – regardless of income level. The first moments of FFGE were truly about establishing the organization and laying the groundwork for growth and sustainability. With just two staff, we worked tirelessly to dispel the myths around hunger, build the structural programming, and create long-lasting relationships with volunteers (we couldn’t have done it without the original group!), donors, and community partners. Not to mention unloading and stocking all the food! It was never truly a challenge, as the core of FFGE and its critical place in the community was based on love, integrity, and meeting a great need in the most effective way. There were hurdles, yes, but they were always faced with the solid belief that FFGE could and would succeed in touching thousands of lives.
What do you see as the need today?
Mike Warren – Today I believe the biggest challenge is understanding the total food insecurity problem in Elgin. Food For Greater Elgin should be a leader in gathering stakeholders and data to determine how big the problem is and how much there is left to do. Educating the community on how their donations get multiplied through our platform to feed our hungry neighbors.
Rev. James Marks – The need is greater today than it ever was before, because of Covid. People are crying out for help. Right now there are no jobs, there is nothing to do, but people still need access to healthy food.
Sue Ericson – There is always a need for new collaborative partnerships that will provide more food and additional resources.
Michelle Frampton – I’ve lived in California for a couple of years now, so can’t comment on local details. With the onset of the pandemic, people of all communities have been faced with a surge of financial fracture that was sudden and unexpected for so many
What hopes do you have for FFGE’s future?
Michelle Frampton – In a perfect world, no woman, man, or child would ever want for food. Yet, until some of the larger, systemic challenges our society faces are truly addressed, it is likely that will not be the case. My hope is that FFGE continues to holistically address food insecurity and its root causes. May the organization maintain a safe and dignified landing spot for people in difficult moments, and strive to always learn, grow, and be the strongest community partner it can be.
Mike Warren – My hope is that the food pantry can continue to evolve and make greater strides in measuring the need, feeding people, and moving closer to solving hunger insecurity in our community. It would be great if we could be considered a thought leader in developing societal solutions.
Rev. James Marks – This too (Covid) shall pass. But when it does, FFGE must have firm financial footing so that it can keep on doing its work. People will still need food even after the pandemic is over. My hope is that FFGE will be able to serve people over the long run.
Sue Ericson – As Food For Greater Elgin grows, my hope is that the organization never loses the passion and importance of the mission. I hope that FFGE will always value both volunteers and clients with affirmation and kindness. And I hope that FFGE branches out to provide other resources that will provide additional support to people in need.
What are you most proud of vis-à-vis FFGE?
Mike Warren – I was proud to be a founding member and pull together the framework to create a different, better way to serve our food-insecure population. Today, I am most proud of our financial situation and longterm building arrangement. I really thought I was going to have to wind the organization down but when we had a leadership change and COVID hit, the organization and community were re-energized. I am proud to be a part of that.
Rev. James Marks – We were able to bring others on board. The need was pretty overwhelming and enough people from very different walks of life were able to come together to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Sue Ericson – I’m especially proud of the success of the client-choice food model and that FFGE is now one of the largest in Kane County. I’m proud of the wonderful volunteer core that continues to acknowledge each hungry person as someone special. I’m proud of the growth throughout the years that produced new food and resource relationships for clients. And I’m proud of the board of directors that, for 10 years, has not only governed but given time volunteering. I’m also proud of the amazing staff that understood the importance of the mission and managed to do multiple jobs. We have kept the mentality of “always a hand up, never a hand out,” for the thousands of hungry families we served.
Michelle Frampton – I am proud to say I was an intricate part of the first five years of FFGE. It was an invigorating period of time when we were growing rapidly and providing stability to thousands of people who may not have found it without the organization. I am proud to have launched two key programs: the Community Resource Center and Fresh to You Mobile Market. I am also proud of the magical Change for Hunger campaign and the difference it made in both clients’ and students’ lives. Yet, much more than being proud, I am humbled to have had the moments I did with the incredibly special volunteers, staff, donors, and clients of FFGE.
Food For Greater Elgin is grateful for all those who brought about its creation and the ways that we have addressed our central mission: to reverse food insecurity in the greater Elgin community. We thank these, our founders, and all who carry on the work!
Would you like to give FFGE a special birthday gift? A $25 donation provides a cart-full of food for a whole family.
