Food Security

From hand-delivered meals for lonely seniors to food packing for young students under threat of hunger on the weekend, we are working to improve food security

New York City, United States

Citymeals on wheels

In New York City, many housebound older neighbors suffer from hunger and loneliness due to a shortfall in City support. Citymeals on Wheels steps in to ensure older people have continuous access to food every day of the week, backed by donors like Northern Trust. Because Citymeals’ staff and volunteers deliver door-to-door, they provide a lifeline of vital human contact. Last year, they delivered over 2 million meals.

“Volunteers don’t just deliver nourishment but compassion to our neighbors, too many of whom live alone,” said Northern Trust’s Carlos Arrizurieta, who serves on Citymeal’s board.”

CARLOS ARRIZURIETA

President, North East Region, Northern Trust Wealth Management CityMeals on Wheels Board member

Victoria, Australia

Food for change

One in five Australians experienced food insecurity in the past year, and Food for Change is working to address that in three ways: growing fruit and vegetables on farms, rescuing fresh food which would otherwise go to waste and donating meals to support agencies. Northern Trust employees took part in planting, weeding and mulching on their farms last year, helping Food for Change produce 2.5 million meals for hungry individuals.

“It’s been a privilege to volunteer with Food for Change and support their mission to help alleviate food insecurity where we live and work in Australia. From harvesting crops, packing food for delivery, planting seeds, and supporting the general maintenance work that goes with running a busy farm – our employees were humbled that our volunteering helped to make a real difference within our local communities. We look forward to growing this relationship, achieving greater together in the years ahead.”

CALLUM STILLE

2nd Vice President, Relationship Manager, Northern Trust

Philadelphia, United States

Philabundance

Philabundance’s mission is to feed those in need and end hunger for good, delivering food via a network of nonprofits, shelters, emergency kitchens and schools. They serve low and no-income neighbors with food parcels and healthy meals, ensuring an average of 7 million individuals are fed with dignity every year. Philabundance also runs a formal food preparation training program for people from those same communities, giving them a chance to widen their job possibilities. Assistance from supporters like Northern Trust helps to ensure that every individual who needs help, gets it.

“Our work plays a vital role in providing immediate hunger relief to those we serve while also working towards creating long-term solutions to address food insecurity, creating healthier communities.”

LOREE D. JONES BROWN

CEO, Philabundance

Locations Throughout the United States

Blessings in a Backpack

One in five children in the U.S. relies on free and reduced-price school meal programs to provide the energy they need to learn and grow. But when school ends on Friday and the weekend starts, many of those children may go hungry. Helping to fill that gap, Blessings provides bags of ready-to-eat food and support to children at 1,270 schools in 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia over the weekend. It mobilizes thousands of dedicated volunteers, including Northern Trust employees, to host food drives and fill backpacks. Because many of the kids may be homeless or spend time alone at the weekend while their parents work, the nutrition kits require no cooking or equipment, making it easy for them to handle. During the 2023–2024 school year and with the backing of Northern Trust, Blessings provided over three million hunger-free weekends for children nationwide.

“There are over 150,000 food-insecure children throughout Chicagoland. Being a member of the Blessings in a Backpack volunteer community allows me the opportunity to help feed those who might otherwise go hungry. NT-sponsored volunteer packing events highlight Northern Trust’s commitment to addressing the important issue of food insecurity in our community.”

KIMBERLY BOVIER

Senior Vice President, Service Delivery, Infrastructure Services, Northern Trust and active Blessings in a Backpack Advisory Board member