Abbott, Abbott Fund Support Northern Illinois Food Bank with $250,000 Grant to Address Childhood Hunger

• Through this donation and a volunteer event, global healthcare company, Abbott, and its philanthropic foundation, Abbott Fund, are supporting the Northern Illinois Food Bank BackPack Program, which provides weekend meals to children identified as food insecure.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank collaborates with 190 schools participating in the BackPack Program across nine counties - Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago - where one in nine children face food insecurity.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 9, 2025 - Abbott and its philanthropic foundation, Abbott Fund, are teaming up with Northern Illinois Food Bank to help fight childhood hunger. This fall, Abbott Fund is donating $250,000 to support the food bank's BackPack Program, providing weekend meals to children experiencing food insecurity across Northern Illinois.

Childhood hunger remains a critical issue in the region, where one in nine children face food insecurity - a 32% increase since 2019. The BackPack Program helps address this need by providing backpacks filled with nutritious, shelf-stable food every Friday or before a school holiday. Each backpack contains enough food to support the child and up to three family members through the weekend.

"No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from," said Melissa Brotz, President of Abbott Fund and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and External Affairs, Abbott. "Nutrition is foundational to health, and we're proud to support Northern Illinois Food Bank and invite others to join us - whether by volunteering, donating or simply spreading the word."

In addition to financial support, Abbott employees are volunteering in a packing event at Northern Illinois Food Bank's Lake Forest facility, assisting in the packing of backpacks for distribution. For nearly two decades, Abbott Fund has supported the work of Northern Illinois Food Bank to deliver essential food and programming to children, families and local communities.

The BackPack Program is entirely funded through private donations, and this grant from Abbott Fund will help provide weekly backpacks to 2,000 children - equivalent to 225,000 nutritious meals for kids and their families this school year. Children are identified for participation in the program by school staff, based on observed signs of chronic hunger or knowledge of family need.

"The BackPack Program is a vital resource for children who may otherwise go without adequate nutrition when school is not in session," said Julie Yurko, President and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank. "Now more than ever, we're turning to partners, like Abbott, to help. This generous grant enables us to continue serving thousands of students and their families, giving them access to the food they need to thrive."

For more information about the BackPack Program and opportunities to support childhood nutrition initiatives, please visit solvehungertoday.org/child-nutrition-programs.

About Northern Illinois Food Bank

For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Our vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, we serve our neighbors in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day. We bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. We also proudly partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Our distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford, and Joliet. Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn.

About Abbott and Abbott Fund

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951. Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to healthcare and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information on Abbott Fund, visit abbottfund.org.