126K Pounds Of Frozen Chicken Donated By Northbrook Volunteers

NORTHBROOK, IL — Social distancing practices and other coronavirus-related precautions will not stop over 126,000 pounds of frozen chicken to be distributed to Chicago-area food pantries and soup kitchens on May 2. Northbrook's Hunger Resource Network has been making similar donations for the last 10 years as a way to supplement canned protein options offered by pantries and shelters.

Dan Jariabka, president and founder of Hunger Resource Network said three semis full of chicken, which is harvested as soon as the order is put in place, will be brought to his organization at 7 a.m. Saturday. Representatives of around 40 agencies will then arrive to pick up between one and three pallets containing roughly 2,000 pounds of frozen chicken apiece. The chicken then will be distributed between close to 50 pantries and shelters in and around Chicago.

"[The chicken] has not been in cold storage," Jariabka said. "It's good quality, Amish-grown protein that we bring in."

Agencies must be pre-qualified to have adequate freezer space and the ability to distribute. The only restrictions on participating agencies are that they cannot sell the chicken or use it as part of a fundraiser.

Jariabka said the event typically has around 100 volunteers helping to load and unload the pallets but because of social distancing restructions, there will be a limited number of helpers this year.

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 27: 43,903 Cases; 1,933 Deaths

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