The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Presents $10K to Neighborhood Food Pantries to Improve Food Security for DuPage County Families
Media Contact: Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.Com, (562) 980-3849
DuPage, Ill., Oct. 21, 2025 — The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”), announced a $10,000 grant to Neighborhood Food Pantries in support of increasing access to nutritious food for the DuPage community. This grant is estimated to provide 50,000 nutritious meals across six food pantries.
In 2023, 92,610 individuals in DuPage County experienced food insecurity, a sharp increase from 2021. To address food insecurity, the Foundation’s grant will fund food costs for six DuPage County food pantries, all of which are strategically located in areas with the greatest need, to maximize impact. A portion of the grant will also contribute to staffing costs to support all six food pantries.
“In DuPage County, we’re seeing firsthand how escalating food prices are contributing to economic challenges in our communities,” said Elizabeth Zrelak, development director at Neighborhood Food Pantries. “The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation has been a strong partner for the last two years, and this latest grant enables us to continue to provide free, nutritious food to our neighbors, supporting long-term stability and wellness that will ultimately build healthier communities in Illinois.”
Neighborhood Food Pantries provide residents and families with access to one of six pantries each week. Individuals are able to select foods that meet their personal dietary needs and cultural preferences. Increased access to nutritious food has a direct impact on health outcomes, reducing risks for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, while also improving energy and mood. As of this year, Neighborhood Food Pantries has distributed over four million pounds of food to more than 226,000 individuals through 65,908 visits.
“Our continued investment in Neighborhood Food Pantries reflects our larger commitment to addressing the many factors that play a role in health outcomes,” said Kris Classen, interim plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “Too many families are forced to make difficult choices between paying for other essentials and putting food on the table. By increasing access to nutritious food, we are reducing the burden for families and individuals across Illinois.”
This grant is a part of Molina’s $1.6 million investment to improve health outcomes in Illinois.
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About The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Illinois. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Illinois, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Neighborhood Food Pantries (NFP)
NFP was founded in 1999 when three existing food pantries came together as the Northwest DuPage Walk-in Ministry. The name was changed to Feeding Northwest DuPage in 2009 to better describe our main purpose and mission to the public and to the people we serve. The name was changed again in 2012 to Neighborhood Food Pantries to avoid a potential trademark conflict with Feeding America. NFP and its predecessors now have a 26-year track record of providing important and continual services to an increasing number of people in DuPage County and the western suburbs. A current focus of NFP is to continue development of new partnerships with community groups, businesses, and foundations with a compassionate spirit for working toward the common good for the people and communities in suburban Chicago. The other paramount focus is to continue to provide a greater variety of fresh and healthy foods to our guests through the Food Recovery process.