Manley Volunteers with Fellow V&A Members at Northern Illinois Foodbank

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined 50 fellow members of the Visitation and Aid Society (V&A) to sort and pack food at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Joliet on July 10th.

Volunteers packed 9,713 pounds of food, including cereal and apples, providing 8,094 meals for families across northern Illinois.

“It is incredible to see bagged apples all the way from Washington state go toward feeding people in our own community,” Rep. Manley said. “Combatting hunger is truly a collective effort.”

The V&A has served those in need for nearly 135 years, working closely with welfare and charitable organizations in the Joliet area. They also regularly provide aid to families needing immediate financial assistance in a quiet and confidential way.

Rep. Manley, who is a member of the V&A, joined this organization because their members take on critical causes, such as volunteering their time at the Northern Illinois Foodbank, and so many other worthy causes.

“Not only is it important to join people doing work on behalf of others,” Rep. Manley said. “Our experience was so positive that my staff and I have decided to try to do it every month.”

The Northern Illinois Foodbank has volunteer opportunities ranging from food packing and sorting to distributing groceries, and even assisting in events through sponsorship or day-of logistics.

Rep. Manley will join the V&A for their next volunteering day at the Northern Illinois Foodbank in August. If you are interested in lending a hand, visit solvehungertoday.org.