Mary Kathryn’s Legacy of Health and Hope

Mary Kathryn Black remembers reading about childhood hunger and thinking that she had to do something. She made her first gift to Northern Illinois Food Bank in 2011 because “It’s so wrong that young children go to bed with an empty stomach while so many people have so much.”

A retired early childhood education professor and former teacher, Mary Kathryn remembers Bobby Kennedy’s hearings on poverty in the ’60s and can’t believe we still have so much need 50 years later.

It’s hard for her to think of the issue of hunger without thinking like the educator she is: “We are physical before anything else. Nutritious food on a daily basis is essential for all areas of development. Children can’t sleep if they are hungry…and they can’t learn.” — Mary Kathryn Black

Mary Kathryn’s desire to do her part to help solve hunger in Northern Illinois is what prompted her to donate through a charitable gift annuity. “The mechanics of charitable gift annuities are very easy.” —Mary Kathryn Black

Mary Kathryn first learned about charitable gift annuities from her father, who modeled philanthropy for her and her sister. “It’s a wonderful way to support the Food Bank and the mechanics of it are very easy,” says Mary Kathryn. “I am grateful to be able to support education, nutrition, families and health care—all the good stuff!”

Northern Illinois Food Bank is privileged to call Mary Kathryn Black a friend and a partner in making sure kids have full bellies at night. We hope you’ll consider making our organization part of your legacy, just as Mary Kathryn did.