Northern Illinois Food Bank is hoping to help those facing food insecurity with a new digital map designed to help them find food pantries in the area.
This week, the Geneva-based food bank announced in a news release the launch of Vivery, “an innovative platform and digital Food Finder map helping neighbors experiencing food insecurity connect with vital food resources in their community and surrounding areas.”
The map was developed by the Thierer Family Foundation, which helps food banks and food pantries remove obstacles preventing people from finding food, according to the release.
Jacqui Hebein, director of agency relations for Northern Illinois Food Bank, said the group started working about a year and a half ago on the initiative when officials started meeting with the Thierer Family Foundation.
“A year ago in May was when they really got their map up and running for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, so we were coming in behind them,” Hebein said. “This is part of a larger network we’ve been brought into and the goal is to have all of Illinois on this map in the future.”
The map allows agencies to “update their address, hours of operation,” or make other changes.
“Once that happens, we get a notification that the changes have gone through and we approve it and the map is updated immediately,” Hebein said.
“Food pantries pretty much have food all the time, but what this does is, if you were to Google a place, it would tell you their hours of operation” and also provide a map of where the facility is located and directions, Hebein said.
The previous map didn’t provide that information or allow for an agency to automatically update its hours of operation, location or phone number. Prior to the new map, agencies had to contact the Northern Illinois Food Bank which would then have to go into the system and make changes “which took a lot longer time.”
Hebein said those suffering food insecurity aren’t likely to have problems accessing the new map “since it’s available through their cellphones.”
“Most of them have cellphones, either those they got at a reduced rate or have been otherwise discounted,” she said. “This is very cellphone friendly. In the past, the Food Finder map we had was not very mobile-friendly whereas this has been created to be that way.”
The press release said that the Northern Illinois Food Bank website allows for users to change the language so people in need can access information in the language they speak. Users can also search by ZIP code, an address or even filter for specific dietary needs to ensure they find the right food at the right time and place, officials said.
“These digital tools are a game changer in the future of food accessibility and equity in northern Illinois,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “Our hope is that we can reach more neighbors experiencing food insecurity and help them and their families get to thriving faster.”
“The layout of the map is much more usable now,” said Chris Borresen, Network Resource Platform Specialist with Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Borresen said the majority of people in need now use their mobile devices to search for food pantries and resources.
“The new Food Finder map scales down to a mobile screen nicely making it more user-friendly,” Borresen said.
The map can be accessed along with a drop-down menu for languages and more at https://solvehungertoday.org/get-groceries-resources/#googtrans(en|en)
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
