OUR HISTORY: A JOURNEY OF COMPASSION

From Vision to Reality:

The Elgin Cares Story

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What began as a simple dream to feed our neighbors has grown into a powerful movement of compassion that touches hundreds of lives every week. This is the story of how Elgin Cares—and our flagship program, Elgin Eats—has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community.

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GETTING STARTED

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Inception (2010)

 

Our organization was founded on January 7, 2021, by 13 dedicated individuals who had a shared vision: to ensure access to nutritious meals in the Elgin area. We addressed food insecurity and fostered community support by providing meal services exclusively on Fridays, helping individuals and families in need. Our goal was to fill plates while strengthening our community.

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In those early days, we were a small but passionate team operating out of borrowed church kitchens, preparing modest meals with donated ingredients, and serving anyone who showed up hungry. We didn't know how many people would come that first Friday, but we knew one thing for certain: if even one person needed a meal, we would be there to provide it.

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CREATION OF A NEW MEAL PROGRAM

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Innovation and Recognition

(2017-2018)

 

As our community's needs grew, so did our commitment to meeting them. In 2023, we embraced the opportunity to serve on Tuesdays and Fridays, raising our meal totals to an impressive 300 a week. Our commitment to delivering nourishment reached 100 meals a week, making a meaningful impact in our community.

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This expansion marked a turning point for Elgin Cares. We weren't just responding to hunger anymore—we were actively innovating to reach more people in more ways. The Tuesday meal service gave working families and busy parents another lifeline during the week, offering simple, nutritious to-go meals that fit their schedules.

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By adding this second service day, we doubled our impact and demonstrated that when a community comes together with purpose, extraordinary things become possible.

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GROWING

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Growth & Diversification (2022)

 

Meal service saw rapid growth during the pandemic, especially by early 2022, as safety concerns led to increased

demand for convenient home dining. By mid-2022, we were delivering 250 meals each week, highlighting a significant shift in consumer behavior towards meal delivery.

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The pandemic changed everything—but it also revealed the true character of our community. When people couldn't gather safely, we adapted. When families faced unprecedented economic hardship, we expanded. When isolation threatened our most vulnerable neighbors, we created new ways to stay connected.

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Our volunteers showed up week after week, masked and determined, proving that neither pandemic nor hardship could stop this community from caring for its own. The meal delivery program that emerged during this time wasn't just about food—it was about showing homebound seniors and isolated families that they weren't forgotten.

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MEALS AND SENIORS

 

Program Expansion (2019-2021)

 

In 2024, we reached an important goal by serving an average of 450 meals each week. This shows our dedication to meeting the nutritional needs of our community. We also launched a new program called Senior Care. This program aims to empower seniors, not just by helping with daily tasks but by creating an environment where they can thrive. We offer various services and activities to improve their physical, emotional, and social well-being, ensuring they have the support they need for a fulfilling life.

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As Elgin Eats matured, we recognized that fighting hunger required more than just meals—it required understanding the whole person. Our Senior Care initiative emerged from countless conversations with elderly community members who needed more than food; they needed connection, dignity, and holistic support.

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Today, we serve over 525 meals every week across all our programs, reaching families, individuals, and seniors throughout Elgin and surrounding areas. But the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every meal is a volunteer who cares, a donor who gave generously, and a neighbor who knows they're not alone.

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WHERE WE ARE TODAY

 

A Community United (2025)

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From 13 founding members to over 150 active volunteers. From one Friday service to Tuesday meals, Friday dinners, and 80 weekly home deliveries. From a vision to a movement.

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Elgin Cares has grown, but our heart remains the same: we believe every person deserves a nutritious meal served with dignity, kindness, and respect. We believe that food is more than sustenance—it's community, hope, and love in action.

Our Current Impact:

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• 525+ meals served every week

• 27,300+ meals provided annually

• 3 service programs: Tuesday meals, Friday dinners, and home delivery

• 150+ volunteers from churches, businesses, and community organizations

• 80 homebound neighbors receiving weekly meal deliveries and wellness checks

• 0 people turned away because they couldn't pay

 

LOOKING AHEAD

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The Dream Continues

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Under the passionate leadership of Program Manager Angela Ward, who has dedicated six years to this mission, Elgin Eats continues to evolve. Angela's vision? A full soup kitchen serving meals every single day of the week—because hunger doesn't take weekends off, and neither should compassion.

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We're not just looking back at how far we've come; we're looking forward to how much further we can go—together.

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Our Future Goals:

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• Open a permanent soup kitchen facility

• Provide meals seven days a week

• Expand Senior Care services

• Increase home delivery capacity

• Partner with more local businesses and churches

• Create job training and life skills programs

• Build a community center where everyone belongs

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BE PART OF OUR STORY

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Every chapter of our history has been written by people like you—volunteers who showed up, donors who gave generously, and community members who believed that Elgin could be a place where no one goes hungry.

The next chapter is being written right now. Will you be part of it?

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Volunteer With Us | Donate Today | Learn More About Our Programs

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MILESTONES AT A GLANCE

 

2010 - Elgin Cares founded by 13 dedicated community members
2017-2018 - Launched Tuesday meal service, reaching 300 meals per week
2019-2021 - Expanded to 450 meals weekly and launched Senior Care program
2022 - Adapted to pandemic needs with meal delivery, serving 250 deliveries weekly
2023 - Reached 100 meal deliveries per week, serving both Tuesdays and Fridays
2024 - Achieved 450 average meals per week with expanded Senior Care services
2025 - Serving 525+ meals weekly across all programs with 150+ active volunteers

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THANK YOU

 

To every volunteer who has chopped vegetables, packed meals, and served with a smile.
To every donor who has given financially, donated food, or shared our mission.
To every church, business, and organization that has partnered with us.
To every community member who has trusted us to serve them with dignity.

You are Elgin Cares. You are Elgin Eats. You are the reason our community never goes hungry.