Ways to Give
Your gifts of time, money, and talent mean everything to those experiencing hunger in your neighborhood.
Every time you work a shift at the pantry, organize a food drive, include FFGE in your legacy plans, or make a monthly donation, you shape a brighter future—for us, for Elgin, and for thousands of families in our community.
Donate Dollars
We depend on monthly contributions from our most invested donors. Consistent donations allow us to plan and budget for our neighbors in need.
Join their ranks and become a Hunger Hero—be it $20, $200, or $2,000, every dollar counts.
Want to double your impact? See if your company matches employee donations!
Give Your Time
Our pantry is only as dependable as our volunteers. Without kind, reliable, big-hearted people who are willing to invest their time in our community, we’d have to shutter our doors.
98% of our guests report being greeted and welcomed by a volunteer when shopping our pantry. Will you help us make it 100%?
Host a Food Drive
While cash donations give us an incredible amount of buying power–for every $100 we receive we can buy $800 worth of groceries–we understand the tangible value of donating food. Hosting a food drive is an excellent way to get community buy-in from your friends, neighbors, or business.
Food donations are accepted during regular business hours. The best days and times to drop off your donation are:
Monday: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday: 1–3 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Friday: 7–10 a.m. / 12:30–2 p.m.
Engage Your Business
By partnering with us, you and your organization can have a direct impact on the lives of thousands of folks in the greater Elgin area. Volunteer as a group, create a match program, sponsor an event—there are so many ways to get involved!
Sponsor an Event
Every year, Food for Greater Elgin holds several fundraising events, which are critical to achieving our donation goals. Would you consider sponsoring Chip in for Hunger, Pallet to Palate, and Change for Hunger?
Direct a DAF
Ask your financial institution to send a gift from your DAF, and we will acknowledge and use those funds as directed by your advisor.
Make an IRA Move
To direct a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), please note that Food for Greater Elgin is a 501(c)3 Organization with Federal Tax Identification Number: 27-4409282
Please send checks, payable to Food for Greater Elgin, to the following address:
Food for Greater Elgin
1553 Commerce Dr.
Elgin, IL 60123
If your financial institution prefers electronic transfer, please contact us for direct deposit information.
Leave a Legacy
A legacy, or planned gift, is a specially designated gift that is usually part of your overall estate or financial plan. It’s simple to establish, can be revocable or irrevocable, typically benefits FFGE at a future date rather than immediately, and is sometimes the largest gift a donor will make. Any planned gift is deeply appreciated and ensures that your legacy of compassion continues.
Consult your advisor or attorney to determine the best way for you to include FFGE in your legacy.
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Make a gift through your will or trust. You can leave a specific dollar amount or designate a percentage of your estate to Food for Greater Elgin. If you already have a will or trust in place, there's no need to rewrite your documents—you can simply add an amendment to your existing estate plan.
For example:
“I leave (amount or percentage of your estate) to Food for Greater Elgin, located at 1553 Commerce Dr, Elgin, IL 60123, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-4409282), for general support to advance the mission of Food for Greater Elgin.”
If you have named Food for Greater Elgin in your will or trust, please let us know! We will ensure your gift is used according to your wishes, and plan for the use of your future gift.
You can notify us by contacting Emily Tyler, Director of Development, at 224-242-3374 or etyler@ffge.org. Information you share will be kept confidential and we respect any desire to remain anonymous. -
A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable trust that pays you during your lifetime. The remainder is paid to Food for Greater Elgin upon your death.
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Rather than donating cash, you can donate appreciated securities, such as stocks or mutual funds, directly to Food for Greater Elgin.
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Listing Food for Greater Elgin as the beneficiary or partial beneficiary of your retirement plan assets is simple: contact the organization holding the policy and direct the change. You may even be able to make the change online!
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A charitable lead trust is an irrevocable arrangement that provides annual income to Food for Greater Elgin for a specified period of time. When that term ends, the remaining assets are distributed to your chosen beneficiaries, often children or grandchildren. Charitable lead trusts can be especially beneficial when funded with assets that are expected to appreciate significantly over the life of the trust (typically 10–20 years).
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Support Food for Greater Elgin by donating a life insurance policy or naming FFGE as a beneficiary of your existing policy; especially appealing if your children are financially independent. To make this change, contact your insurance provider or complete a beneficiary designation form online.
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Donating your home or vacation property can provide significant benefits to both you and Food for Greater Elgin. Through a retained life estate, you may be eligible for an immediate charitable tax deduction while continuing to live in and enjoy your property for the rest of your life. After your lifetime, ownership of the property transfers to FFGE.
