Presented by Q101 and the Karas Restaurant Group
One community. One mission. A whole lot of good. Join the Q101 Crew and help the Northern Illinois Food Bank make sure our neighbors have the food they need to thrive this holiday season.
Your generosity stays local
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Q101's Brian & Kenzie are once again asking the Q101 Crew to come together for God Bless the Gravy, our annual holiday food drive benefiting the Northern Illinois Food Bank in 2026. Proudly sponsored by the Karas Restaurant Group !
Serving a 13-county area across suburban and rural Northern Illinois, the Northern Illinois Food Bank connects neighbors with nutritious food through a network of more than 900 food pantries and feeding programs.
Help Provide More Meals →Give what you can
Help Feed Our Neighbors
Whether you donate $5, $50, or $500, your contribution stays right here in Northern Illinois and helps ensure that no neighbor goes hungry this holiday season.
Donation amounts shown are suggested examples, not preset donation amounts. Choose your contribution on the official donation page.
Come out and make a difference
Food Collection Events
We're taking God Bless the Gravy directly into the communities we serve! Q101 and the Karas Restaurant Group invite you to join Brian, Kenzie, and Lauren O'Neil at these special food collection events.
Bring non-perishable food donations, meet the Q101 Fam, and enter to win concert tickets and Q101 apparel!
Breakfast with Lauren O'Neil
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Alexander's Café
St. Charles, Illinois
Bring a non-perishable food donation and enjoy breakfast while Lauren is on the air live helping Brian and Kenzie kick off this year's God Bless the Gravy campaign.
Support the Food Drive
Lunch with Kenzie
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
Geneva, Illinois
Meet Kenzie for lunch at Rookies! Bring your food donations, grab a bite, and support the Northern Illinois Food Bank alongside fellow Q101 listeners.
Support the Food Drive
LIVE Brian & Kenzie Podcast
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Join Brian and Kenzie for their FIRST EVER live podcast recording and happy-hour food collection event. Experience the show live and support an incredible cause without waking up early!
Support the Food DriveCan't make it to an event? You can still make a difference from anywhere with our virtual food drive.
Donate Online Today →Calling all local businesses
Double Your Impact with
's
Business Giving Challenge
Give back. Get noticed. Double your impact.
This fall, local businesses can make an even greater impact through God Bless the Gravy, Q101's virtual food drive benefiting the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Businesses that donate $1,000 or more will receive double the value of their donation in advertising on WKQX-FM. Your company can help provide meals for neighbors facing hunger while gaining valuable exposure on Chicago's Alternative.
The Business Giving Challenge
Donate $1,000+
Receive 2X the Advertising Value
Eligible businesses receive advertising value equal to twice their donation, up to $10,000 in advertising value.
Support local families while putting your business in front of Q101 listeners.
Make Your Business DonationThe mission behind the movement
Meet the Northern Illinois Food Bank
For more than 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors.
Our Mission
Northern Illinois Food Bank's mission is to provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity, and convenience, through partnerships and innovation.
Our Vision
For everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive.
At Northern Illinois Food Bank, we're hungry for purpose… Are you?
About the Food Bank
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, Northern Illinois Food Bank serves neighbors across 13 counties, providing approximately 320,000 meals a day.
The organization brings together food manufacturers, grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations and individuals to help provide nutritious food and resources. Nearly 1,000 volunteers help evaluate, repack and distribute food each week.
Its network includes more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs. Distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet.
Visit the Food Bank Website →Food assistance and resources
Need Help Getting Groceries?
The Northern Illinois Food Bank connects neighbors with resources to help put nutritious food on the table.
01. Food Finder Map
Find food pantries and food assistance resources in your community.
Find Food Resources02. My Pantry Express
Order groceries online for pickup or free delivery through My Pantry Express.
Order Groceries03. SNAP Assistance
Get help with SNAP food assistance applications and questions.
Phone:
844-600-SNAP (7627)
Email:
SNAP@northernilfoodbank.org
Learn more about food assistance, volunteering, donating, and getting involved through the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Solve Hunger Today →
Join the Q101 Crew
Let's Make Sure No Neighbor Goes Hungry
Join the Karas Restaurant Group , Brian & Kenzie, and the entire Q101 Crew in supporting the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Every donation helps provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity, and convenience.
Your community needs you. Every dollar counts. Let's make this holiday season a little brighter for our neighbors.
