Diane Scholten—Tomorrow’s Harvest Society Member

Diane Scholten is passionate about a great many things, but creating a healthier community is right there at the top of the list. From participating in a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that supports local agriculture to founding a progressive book club, volunteering for her local food pantry to campaigning for elected officials, she is constantly in motion.

“I want to be involved in any way that helps people get the things they need to have healthy, successful lives,” she says.

That’s what first piqued her interest in Northern Illinois Food Bank—the connection to foundational wellbeing.

“When I think about the causes I’m interested in—eradicating income inequality, social justice, ending racism in this country, health and nutrition—if you don’t have sufficient food, if you’re hungry, it’s pretty hard to do those things,” she says. “Food insecurity is a fundamental issue. People cannot do their best if they’re hungry.”

Not only is Diane interested in the work the Food Bank is doing to help families in Northern Illinois get the food they need to thrive, but she is also inspired by how this work happens.

“You make it easy for people to get food with pride and dignity, in ways that are easy for them to access,” she says. “[And] hunger hits everybody. People have this idea that it can’t happen to them, but it can.”

To help further that work and create a healthier community in Northern Illinois, Diane recently added the Food Bank as one of several charities to benefit from her will.

“I don’t have kids. I don’t have grandchildren,” she says. “I want to make an impact with my will, and [the Food Bank] is not only helping to eradicate food insecurity, but helping to promote health. That’s so important.”

She hopes that her example will inspire someone else to get involved in their community, too.

“We’re in a country right now that is so divided. We think we’re so different,” Diane says. “But I think everyone can find a reason to help people.”