“We have a community that is working hard – and many are working multiple jobs – to make ends meet. But it’s still not enough,“ said Sarah Oprzedek, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Will County.

Officials and staff with Safe Passage hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday to mark the start of construction for a long-awaited new and expanded shelter in DeKalb, for those experiencing domestic violence.

The walk will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday starting at Pinz Bowling Alley, 1211 N,. Bridge St. Yorkville.

A Small Business Bingo event held Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle saw nearly 300 attendees and raised $4,680 to be split between Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center and HOPE of Ogle County.

The Kankakee County Museum is officially aglow with the twinkle of Christmas lights for the 47th annual Gallery of Trees, themed "Blast from the Past." The experience kicks off Thursday, Dec. 4, and runs through December with the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The Joliet Police Department and the Salvation Army have partnered again to host the annual Patrol For Hunger food drive benefiting Joliet-area families at the holidays.

To avoid scammers or donating to fraudulent organizations Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul offered the following tips to potential donors.

Every year community members gather in Montgomery to run for a cause. This year, the Montgomery River Run led to a $2,000 donation being presented to to CASA of Kendall County.

The Oregon Lions Club recently hosted its 1-D central zone meeting. Special speaker, author and educator Bill Massey from North Carolina was Zoomed in to present to the group.

The award-winning American Legion Band will hold its annual Christmas concert at the Rialto Square Theatre on Dec. 14 to benefit Catholic Charities.

The Giving Door has been a silent giver for over two decades allowing volunteers to anonymously fulfill wish lists over the holidays for families and children in need.

As part of the restaurant chain’s commitment to combating hunger, Chick-fil-A has selected 22 food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens to surprise with $25,000 grants this holiday season.

The donated turkeys will be prepared by the Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois and delivered through the Meals on Wheels program to about 200 residents across DeKalb County.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois recently announced the recipients of Community Grants for the 2025 program cycle.

The new Portillo's restaurant, located at the corner of 135th Street and Illinois Route 59 in Plainfield, is drive-thru only. Other pick up only locations are in Joliet, Rosemont and Orland Park.

Fox Valley United Way looks to supplement its Holiday Assistance families with gift cards of $25 or more to help meet their practical needs this season.

These funds will benefit the renovation of the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet’s swimming pool exterior wall.

Constellation, owner of the Byron Nuclear Plant, presented a $15,000 donation to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Hands-on experience in fundraising, grantmaking, and community impact provided through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's Youth Engagement Program.

The Rochelle Christian Food Pantry at 770 Lincoln Ave. saw an all-time record with 237 families served during the week of Nov. 2-8, 2025.

Hands of Hope will be hosting its Thanksgiving Food Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at 511 Oakleaf Court in Joliet.

The online application goes live on Saturday, November 15, visit cffrv.org to access the scholarship application.

Since its inception in March 2018, the Kankakee chapter has now built more than 1,600 bed frames. The final build of 2025 will be held this Saturday, Nov. 15 in Momence, with deliveries to follow ahead of Christmas.

DeKalb Mutual Aid, a charity organization that aims to help those in need, wants to help families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this month.

The food drive in Lockport was meant to provide short-term assistance to families impacted by the uncertainty with SNAP funding amid the historic government shutdown.

A Small Business Bingo event Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle saw over 300 attendees and raised $5,710 to be split between the Community Action Network and Rochelle VFW Post 3878, event organizer and AP Massage Therapy owner Ashley Patrick said.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, the Oregon Rotary Club will host what is billed as the 30th and final Angel Ball, a milestone evening marking the culmination of the club’s long-running gala in support of local community causes.

Brian Skraba, 39, a Marine veteran who served from 2004 to 2008 – including one deployment to Iraq – is currently working on his doctorate in nursing.

Rabbi Jenny Steinberg-Martinez succeeded Paul Lauridsen as Stepping Stones new executive director, according to a news release from Stepping Stones.

Options & Advocacy, a Crystal Lake nonprofit that helps people with autism and other disabilities hosts a fundraising gala on Nov. 15 in Lake in the Hills.

Nicor Gas, in partnership with the nonprofit group Operation Warm, distributed winter coats to every student at T.E. Culbertson Elementary School in Joliet on Friday.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County announced its plans to host Community Shoe Box, a charity organization that aims to provide a space to collect and give away shoes for those in need.

The inaugural Ogle County K-9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball was held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the River’s Edge Experience in Oregon and raised $34,000 for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Deputy Ali VanVickle said.

100 Women Who Care of Will County held its big check presentation on Oct. 29 for Team Nicholas, a group working to provide hospitalized children with gifts year round.

McHenry County nonprofit organization leaders are expressing fears of increasing demand, lack of housing affordability and childcare services in the area as the federal government cuts SNAP and Medicaid benefits.

McHenry County food pantries are trying to stock up as much as they can and are reporting that as the need has increased, so too have donations. But uncertainty over SNAP benefits remains.

Donors, volunteers and clients made for a busy day at the Woodstock Food Pantry Friday. Many awaited a judge's ruling on whether SNAP food stamp benefits would continue during the government shutdown.

The Thanksgiving luncheon serves up about 200 pounds of turkey to more than 150 seniors, the council said.

Mike Domek started TicketsNow.com, sold it to Ticketmaster and, with his earnings, founded Bunker Hill Farms near Woodstock to raise millions for charity. With his death in June, the resort is shutting down.

The Hansen Halloween House is back for another year of family-friendly fun. The free event will take place at 1021 Fourth Ave., Rochelle, from 5-9 p.m. on the days leading up to Halloween and from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

The Village of Progress held its annual banquet Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Oregon. Eight VOP consumers and volunteers were presented with awards during the festivities.

Coats will be available in toddler sizes, boys and girl sizes XS to XL as well as adult women’s sizes.

The Tinsel & ‘Tinis 2025 event will include after-hours shopping at the Joliet ReStore along with raffles and merchandise vendors.

The Joliet Noon Lions are collecting items for Cornerstone Services group homes.

Rochelle's Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 received a $1,000 donation from CHS on Oct. 13, 2025, to help pay for a new camera system.

This year, our Giving Tree will support the Recovery Community Center of Joliet (RCCJ), an organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by addiction find healing, stability, and hope.

Romeoville Fire Department K-9 Roy soon will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The store’s last day of service was Oct. 3, according to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Joliet Council thrift stores website.

The collection event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., in Joliet.

The main feature of The Silver Lining Event in Joliet is an auction of “artfully transformed vintage undergarments,” created by 11 artists,