When you think about who in McHenry County might be going hungry, who do you picture?

A child in a Woodstock apartment who opens the fridge after school to find it empty?
A kindergartener in a mobile home outside Marengo, who has only crackers for dinner again?
Or maybe a middle-schooler down the street from you, whose parents are working hard to afford groceries while juggling rent, transportation, childcare, and medical bills?

The truth is: all of those children are real.

In McHenry County, food insecurity affects families in rural towns, suburban neighborhoods, and city blocks. It’s not always visible — but it’s widespread.

Why This Matters

Raising a family is expensive, and as prices rise, so does the number of families struggling to put food on the table. Nationally, data from Feeding America shows:

• Families with children are more likely to experience hunger.
• Black and Latino children are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
• Households led by single mothers face some of the highest rates of food hardship.

Local food pantries throughout McHenry County are doing incredible work to support families — but they can’t do it alone. That’s where we come in.

June Is Hunger Awareness Month

Summer often brings an invisible crisis: kids who rely on school meals suddenly lose access to breakfast and lunch. That means families must provide more meals at home — and for many, that’s a stretch.

June is Hunger Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to both give back and seek help if you need it.

Tips for a Family-Friendly, Super-Successful Food Drive

Want to get your family, classroom, neighborhood, or troop involved? Here’s how to make your food drive fun and effective:

✅ Ask your local pantry what they need most. Items like flour, oil, cereal, canned meat, and spices are often in short supply.
✅ Challenge a friend group. Compete with another scout troop or classroom to see who collects more meals.
✅ Make it fun with a theme. Try “Can-Do Canned Goods,” “Stock the Shelves for Summer,” or “Bring on Breakfast!”
✅ Decorate your donation boxes. Let kids turn donation bins into works of art and include all the drop-off info.
✅ Think about cultural relevance. Ask pantries if they’re looking for specific foods like masa harina, rice noodles, or plant-based proteins.
✅ Make it a habit. Consider creating a recurring donation system with your family or group — even one bag every two months makes a difference.

Want to know where to drop off donations — or need food yourself?

➡️ Check out our McHenry County Food Pantries Directory:
northernillinoisparents.com/food-pantries/

Teaching Kids the Power of Helping

Getting your children involved in a food drive, whether it’s helping pick out groceries or decorating a donation box, makes a lasting impression. It’s a small act that teaches compassion, responsibility, and what it means to support our neighbors.

Even young children can take part — and they often love having a job to do. Teens may be inspired to take ownership of their own service project. Either way, it’s a family experience with real impact.

Hunger is Closer Than You Think

Let’s make June a month where we come together as a community — not just to acknowledge hunger, but to do something about it. Whether you’re donating food, starting a drive, or reaching out for support, you’re making a difference.

Because no child in McHenry County should have to go to bed hungry.