Hunger Resource Network
Hunger Resource Network is a Northbrook, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that redistributes protein-rich food and provides student and senior food programs to 90+ agencies across six Chicagoland counties, operating with an all-volunteer board and no paid staff.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersNorthbrook, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hunger Resource Network does
Hunger Resource Network (HRN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in April 2009 in Northbrook, Illinois, that operates as a food-redistribution intermediary rather than a direct-service charity. Its primary function is connecting food donors and suppliers with food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across six Chicagoland counties (Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, and Kendall). The organization's flagship program is the semi-annual Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day, which distributes 240,000+ pounds of protein-rich chicken annually to 90+ recipient agencies; HRN reports over 5 million pounds of food distributed cumulatively since 2009.
HRN's product portfolio extends beyond protein distribution into three additional programs: the Student Food Pack Program, which provides weekend food and personal care packs to food-insecure students across 12 Northbrook public schools; the Senior Food Program, which provides transportation for Crestwood Place residents to the Northfield Township Food Pantry via a YMCA partnership; and the Hunger Free Northbrook initiative. A flagship 2024 collaboration with the Salvation Army rescued 450,000+ pounds of frozen chicken across eleven locations in six Midwest states, reaching protein portions for over 1.8 million meals. There is no proprietary technology platform, software product, or AI component to operations; logistics run on volunteer labor, donor relationships, and a basic website plus Facebook presence.
HRN is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors with no paid staff, keeping overhead minimal. Revenue is sourced from foundation grants (e.g., $5,000 from SBB Research Group Foundation in July 2024 and March 2025; funding from Village Treasure House), individual donations (one-time and monthly, with $25 equating to 113 protein servings), corporate sponsorships (Sunset Foods has donated for over 40 years), and events (annual Golf Outing, Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show, Students Helping Students campaign). The go-to-market is community-led, leveraging partnerships with faith-based organizations, schools, local businesses, and other nonprofits to identify food-insecure populations and execute distribution.
Hunger Resource Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hunger Resource Network
- Legal name
- Hunger Resource Network
- Website
- https://hungerresourcenetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hunger Resource Network is a Northbrook, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that redistributes protein-rich food and provides student and senior food programs to 90+ agencies across six Chicagoland counties, operating with an all-volunteer board and no paid staff.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hunger Resource Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hunger Relief Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)
Keywords
Where Hunger Resource Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northbrook
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hunger Resource Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations such as the SBB Research Group Foundation ($5,000 grant for Chicagoland hunger relief). Grants support operational costs and food procurement programs.
- Individual Donations: Donations from individuals supporting hunger alleviation efforts. The organization accepts one-time and monthly donations. $25 typically enables distribution of 113 protein servings or enables purchase of 2 pounds of chicken.
- Corporate/Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors and local business benefactors work with HRN to provide nutritious meals to people in need. Includes partnerships with food suppliers and retail businesses like Sunset Foods.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | $25 one-time or monthly donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Hunger Resource Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hunger Resource Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that redistributes protein-rich food (primarily chicken) and rescued surplus food to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and senior living facilities across six Chicagoland counties. It runs five interconnected programs: Poultry to Pantries Delivery Days (twice-yearly protein distribution), Student Food Pack Program (weekend food packs for food-insecure students), Senior Food Program (transportation and food delivery for elderly residents), Hunger Free Northbrook (local anti-hunger initiative), and Community Outreach Days (general food rescue operations). All services are provided at no cost to recipient agencies.
Product overview
Hunger Resource Network (HRN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a food distribution network rather than a technology product company. HRN's core offering consists of five interconnected community programs: Poultry to Pantry Delivery Days (its flagship semi-annual protein distribution), Student Food Pack Program (weekend meals for food-insecure students), Senior Food Program (transportation and food delivery for elderly residents), Hunger Free Northbrook (local food insecurity initiative), and Community Outreach Days (general food rescue and distribution). The organization coordinates between food donors, recipient agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters), and volunteers to redistribute protein-rich foods throughout Chicagoland. There is no software product, platform, or digital service component to HRN's operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hunger Free Northbrook: A program initiated by Hunger Resource Network to address food insecurity among students and seniors in the Northbrook community.
Products and services
- Poultry to Pantries Delivery Days Twice-yearly (Spring and Fall) program through which HRN purchases and distributes 120,000+ pounds (over 240,000 lbs/year) of protein-rich chicken to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across Chicagoland; every $1 typically enables the purchase of two pounds of chicken and delivers three servings of protein. Recipient agencies pick up cases or pallet loads from the Northbrook distribution center at no cost.
- Student Food Pack Program Program that delivers essential weekend food and personal care packs to food-insecure students (those qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch) in Northbrook public elementary and middle schools, with discreet distribution to qualifying families by school personnel; supported by six partner organizations (Congregation Beth Shalom, Gloria Dei Lutheran, The Village Church of Northbrook, Northbrook Covenant Church, Sunset Foods, Northbrook Chamber of Commerce).
- Senior Food Program Program that provides monthly transportation for senior residents at Crestwood Place to the Northfield Township Food Pantry and delivers food to residents, supported by a YMCA-provided bus partnership; designed to help seniors experiencing food insecurity or limited mobility reliably access food resources.
- Hunger Free Northbrook Local Northbrook-focused initiative under Hunger Resource Network that addresses food insecurity among students and seniors by distributing food packs and connecting residents with food resources.
- Community Outreach Days (food rescue) General food rescue and distribution events in which HRN recovers surplus produce, day-old bakery goods, and other food from farmers' markets and local businesses that would otherwise go to landfill or compost, redistributing these to recipient agencies across Chicagoland.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 437,000 meals provided in 2023
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hunger Resource Network
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hunger Resource Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hunger Resource Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.
- Congregation Beth ShalomcoreOne of six supporting organizations for the Student Food Pack Program serving food-insecure students in Northbrook public schools.
- Gloria Dei LutherancoreOne of six supporting organizations for the Student Food Pack Program serving food-insecure students in Northbrook public schools.
- The Village Church of NorthbrookcoreOne of six supporting organizations for the Student Food Pack Program serving food-insecure students in Northbrook public schools.
- Northbrook Covenant ChurchcoreOne of six supporting organizations for the Student Food Pack Program serving food-insecure students in Northbrook public schools.
- Sunset FoodscoreSupporting organization for Student Food Pack Program. Has been donating food to HRN for over 40 years. Located in Northbrook.
- Northbrook Chamber of CommercesupportingSupporting organization for Student Food Pack Program serving Northbrook community.
- YMCAcorePartnership provides bus transportation for Senior Food Program, supporting initiative to bring Crestwood Place seniors to Northfield Township Food Pantry.
- Northfield Township Food PantrycoreRecipient of Senior Food Program transportation visits. Provides food access for Crestwood Place senior residents. Recipient of $1,800 emergency funding during COVID-19.
- Salvation ArmyflagshipMajor collaboration to rescue over 450,000 pounds of frozen chicken donated across eleven locations in six Midwest states, reaching protein portion of more than 1.8 million meals. Led by HRN President Dan Jariabka with anonymous chicken donor.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hunger Resource Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Greater Chicago Food Depository: Chicago's primary food bank distributing food through a network of pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across Cook County. Direct competitor to HRN's Chicago-area protein distribution mission, with far larger scale and infrastructure.
- Northern Illinois Food Bank: Regional food bank serving 13 counties in northern Illinois including several HRN-served counties. Provides food to partner agencies and runs programs targeting hunger relief, directly overlapping with HRN's food pantry and agency support model.
- A Just Harvest: Chicago-based nonprofit running a community kitchen and food programs in Rogers Park. Listed as an HRN recipient agency but independently operates food distribution, directly comparable in mission and beneficiary base.
- Nourishing Hope Chicago: Chicago food access nonprofit providing groceries, meals, and nutrition programs. Listed as an HRN recipient but operates its own food distribution, making it a direct peer in the food assistance space.
Broad incumbents
- Feeding America: National network of 200+ food banks and the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S. Serves as the umbrella body for many local food banks including Greater Chicago Food Depository, and competes for donor attention and foundation grants with smaller hunger nonprofits like HRN.
- Salvation Army (Metropolitan Division): Large national nonprofit providing food, shelter, and emergency assistance, including the chicken rescue partnership already undertaken with HRN. Operates food pantries and meal programs that directly overlap with HRN's recipient-agency model.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Major social services nonprofit serving the Chicago area with food pantries, shelters, and feeding programs. Currently a recipient agency of HRN but also operates its own food distribution infrastructure that competes for donor funding.
- Meals on Wheels America: National network delivering meals directly to seniors, including the senior food access mission that HRN's Senior Food Program addresses. Comparable target beneficiary segment but operates through a different delivery mechanism.
- No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength): National campaign focused on ending childhood hunger through school-based meal programs and advocacy. Comparable to HRN's Student Food Pack Program targeting food-insecure students, though operating at national scale with different funding mechanisms.
Regional players
- Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Regional food bank serving Indiana through a network of pantries and meal programs. Comparable operating model to HRN's food redistribution function but at significantly larger scale and outside HRN's geographic territory.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hunger Resource Network social profiles
Digital presenceHunger Resource Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hunger Resource Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Hunger Resource Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hunger Resource Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hunger Resource Network
What does Hunger Resource Network do?
Hunger Resource Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that redistributes protein-rich food (primarily chicken) and rescued surplus food to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and senior living facilities across six Chicagoland counties. It runs five interconnected programs: Poultry to Pantries Delivery Days (twice-yearly protein distribution), Student Food Pack Program (weekend food packs for food-insecure students), Senior Food Program (transportation and food delivery for elderly residents), Hunger Free Northbrook (local anti-hunger initiative), and Community Outreach Days (general food rescue operations). All services are provided at no cost to recipient agencies.
Is Hunger Resource Network a public or private company?
Hunger Resource Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hunger Resource Network founded?
Hunger Resource Network was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hunger Resource Network based?
Hunger Resource Network is headquartered in Northbrook, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hunger Resource Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations and corporate/Business Sponsorships.
Who are Hunger Resource Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank, A Just Harvest and Nourishing Hope Chicago. Broad incumbents are Feeding America, Salvation Army (Metropolitan Division), Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Meals on Wheels America and No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength). Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is listed as a regional player.
Does Hunger Resource Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hunger Resource Network.
What industry is Hunger Resource Network in?
Hunger Resource Network's product category is Hunger Relief Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAA, Food Assistance & Food Banks. Its NAICS code is 62421 and its SIC code is 8300.