2024 Annual Report by Neighborhood House

Over 125 Years of Serving the Peoria Community

LETTERFROMTHEPRESIDENT

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I am pleased to share with you the FY24 Annual Report for Neighborhood House Association Throughout the past year, we've encountered challenges and opportunities, and I am pleased to report on the strides we've made in advancing our mission to feed, educate, and empower those most in need.

As I reflect on the past year, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to our success from our dedicated staff to our generous donors and collaborative partners. Over the past year, we reached important milestones that have advanced our mission to provide a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages Some of our key accomplishments include:

Opening our digital learning center for use by our adult and youth learners, thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and sponsorship from our partner, RLI

Re-opening of two (Hopedale and Leisure Acres) additional senior congregate feeding sites in Tazewell County after being shut down since March 2020.

3. Coordinated our first Pop-Up Food Pantry in collaboration with FIDO Pet Food Bank, based out of Oregon

Expanded youth programming to include weekly yoga sessions, cooking projects and STEAM/STEM activities along with the regular weekly visits to the Lincoln Branch of the Peoria Public Library, weekly swimming (during summer), and numerous field trips. (Wheels of Time Museum, the Luthy Botanical Garden, and much more)

4 Conducted our first annual half-day management retreat to take a step back from the day-to-day work and develop our skill set

Hosted numerous community events such as the Mayor’s Commission on Racial Justice and Equity and the Social Determinants of Health event.

I would also like to express my appreciation to our hardworking staff, board of directors, and volunteers who made these accomplishments possible. Their passion for our mission is the driving force of our success. That being said, we would not be able to reach our goals and accomplish our mission without the generous backing of our donors and stakeholders as well To be good financial stewards for these individuals, we pledge to uphold the utmost standards of transparency and accountability To demonstrate these principles, I am pleased to offer an overview of our financial performance on page 19 of this report

Moving forward, we remain committed to growing as an organization and evolving to address the needs of the community. In these efforts, we will continue to provide a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages.

Your continued support is critical to our success. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference –from volunteering your time and skills, becoming a monthly donor, or joining one of our donor societies (more information on page 11) Together, we will continue to feed, educate, and empower those most in need

Bonar President/CEO

1020 S. Matthew St. Peoria, IL 61605

Ph. 309-674-1131

Fax 309-674-1896

Julie Bonar - President/CEO

Bryna Ryan - Chief Operating Officer

Thomas Brown - Finance Director

Alex Cheesman - Human Resources Director

Cara Domaszewicz - Development Director

Amanda McCoy - Meals on Wheels Director

Chad Williams - Meals on Wheels Assistant

Noah Palm - Community Impact Director

Ericka Ivory - Adult Services Director

Dominique Adams - Adult Services Assistant

Patrick Randall - Youth Services Director

Annette Stahl - Kitchen Director

Brittany Fox - Facilities and Fleet Director

Jim Schwindenhammer - Finance Associate

Christine Bonds - Finance Associate

Debi Legaspi- Executive Assistant

Jennell Jackson - Receptionist

Our Mission:

To provide a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life-stages.

Board of Directors

Emily Wilburn - Chair

David Aduama

Kari Clark

LaKeisha Faggett

Steve Gatton

Jill Jackson

Roberta Koscielski

LaTrina Leary

Mr. Dave Auer

Mr. John Sahn

Mr. Ken Hinrichs

Jason McKee

Brooke Miller

Mandar Pattekar

Carrie Peters

Michael Riley

Diane Roe

Derek Roemer

Dave Schaab

Charlie Smith

Tim Spears

Rebekah Stanley

Brittany Strickland

Scott Strubhar

Janette Summerville

John Sutherland

Samantha Ulrich

Emeritus Board Members

Sen. George Shadid (Ret.)

Mr. Robert Williamson

Mr. Hank Jorgense

Mrs. Alice Kieser

Ms. Nancy Swords

Neighborhood House would like to recognize departing board members Michael Riley, Samantha Ulrich, and John Sutherland for their years of outstanding service to Neighborhood House and our community.

Neighborhood House looks forward to welcoming new incoming board member Bryan Wilburn. Thank you for sharing our passion with the community. Welcome to the team!

IMPACTOVERVIEW

Over

400 Sunday Meals Served

Over 2,400 Youth Meals and Snacks Served

Over 70 Families Sponsored through Angel Tree Over 214,100 Total Meals Served by Meals on Wheels

Over 2,200 Bags of Pet Food Delivered through Critters Meals on Wheels

415 Coats Distributed through the Annual Coat Drive

Over

1,800

Youth Summer Meals Served

1,000 Gifts Distributed through Santa for Seniors

Over 1,100 Pantry Boxes Distributed

Over 1,800 Hours of Service by Volunteers

FOODPANTRYANDSUNDAYMEALS

FOOD PANTRY

Food Pantry helps to provide nutritional food items and hygiene products to 80-100 families each month. In addition to pantry staples like pasta, canned vegetables, and protein, Neighborhood House’s pantry offers bread and desserts, fresh fruit, frozen and refrigerated items, and shopping shelves that allow individuals to select food items based on their household needs. This year, our Community Impact Director has worked to improve client experience. He has been able to accomplish this by promoting efficiency and hosting themed pantries, where food items and decorations are focused on upcoming events. For example, we had a 4th of July pantry with candy and BBQ essentials.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUNDAY MEALS PARTNERS

Holy Family Church, St. Vincent De Paul Society

Blessed Sacrament Church

St. Jude

St. Ann’s Thanks and Giving Group

University United Methodist Church

Women’s Social Club

St. Mark’s Church

Peoria Proud

United Presbyterian Church

Missional Engagement Committee

St. Francis Transplant

SUNDAY MEALS

United Way estimates that about 8.6% of Peoria’s population experienced food insecurity in 2021, which increases to 9.7% when only considering those under 18. This equates to about 9,500 people with inconsistent access to food in the city of Peoria alone. Every Sunday from 12-1 pm, local organizations partner with Neighborhood House to help fill in the gaps, donating their time and resources to provide a hot meal for those in the community who may need it.

MEALSONWHEELS

HOME-DELIVERED MEALS

Neighborhood House has grown its Meals on Wheels program over the years to meet growing needs within the community. We are now able to provide between 17,000 to 18,000 meals a month to individuals within the community. This program fights against food insecurity by providing daily nutritional meals to homebound senior citizens in Peoria and Tazewell counties. As our drivers deliver the meals, they are also providing so much more. They are building relationships with the clients and providing social interaction that the client may not otherwise receive. With this relationship, our drivers can look out for any changes in behavior or health, providing extra support for homebound seniors and their families.

CONGREGATE SITES

Our Meals on Wheels program has expanded with the reopening of two senior congregate sites. located in Hopedale and Washington. These sites operate in addition to the Tremont site which was reopened last year. Congregate sites provide a hot meal and socialization for those over the age of 60 and are free of charge. Our Meals on Wheels congregate sites allow elderly individuals to get out of their homes, interact with others within the community, and enjoy a nutritious meal.

For more information about our Meals on Wheels Program, contact our Meals on Wheels Director, Amanda McCoy at 309-674-1131 ext. 231 to amandam@nhpeoria.org.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

POP UP PET PANTRY

Pets play a valuable role in our clients' lives, even those spanning beyond the Meals on Wheels program. With the rising cost of living, some of our clients have expressed the need for extra assistance caring for their pets but couldn’t find many resources in the area. To help combat this issue, we worked with FIDO, a pet food bank located out of Portland, to provide a pop-up pet pantry and distribute pet food to those who attended. This experience also demonstrated the need for continued services from FIDO within the Peoria area and may lead to easier access to .

nhpeoria.org

Neighborhood House’s Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to homebound seniors, but many of the seniors we deliver meals to have pets that keep them company. Our drivers noticed these individuals sharing some of their meals with their pets, so neither were getting the nutrition they needed. Over the past year, we have delivered almost 3,000 meals to pets in the community. Studies have shown that pets can improve individuals' stress levels and combat feelings of loneliness. Therefore, we want to ensure that seniors and their pets can stay independent and in their homes.

For more information about this program, contact Noah Palm at 309-674-1131 ext. 300 or noahp@nhpeoria.org

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDER

ADULTEDUCATION

Our adult education programs are personalized to help each student achieve their goals. Anyone in the community is welcome to utilize our adult programs to become a better reader, further their education, or receive their GED. Classes are held at Neighborhood House, Monday through Thursday, free of charge. We also have one-on-one tutoring opportunities that are held throughout the community to meet people where they are and increase access to educational resources.

If you're interested in continuing your education, would like to learn more about our program, or are interested in volunteering please contact Ericka Ivory at erickai@nhpeoria.org or call 309-674-1131 ext 239.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

DIGITAL LEARNING CENTER

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a gap in access to digital resources for the people we serve. To help combat that issue, we opened our digital learning center. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our staff, RLI, Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and Caterpillar Volunteers, our Adult and Youth learners have access to the online resources they need to be successful.

SCAN TO SUPPORT

IMPACT STORY

“It’s a bitter-sweet moment as MiKayla Davis and Sh’Nyah Butler age out of the Neighborhood House program. Mrs. Gloria has been with Sh’Nyah from the age of 1 to the driving age of 16. Mikayla Davis and Sh’Nyah Butler have been best friends and a part of Common Place and Neighborhood House since 5th Grade (Sh’Nyah since she was born). They have walked the halls for the last time as students and will hopefully have a chance to transition into part of the staff. They are family and will always be a part of Neighborhood House!”

Neighborhood House has been supporting children within the community through our after-school, summer, fall, and spring break programs. These programs provide students with a place to go outside of school that engages them in different learning techniques and the community. Within these programs, Neighborhood House serves a nutritious meal or snack and provides the opportunity for them to explore more of the Peoria area through field trips. Our summer camp students have even planted a garden thanks to the Peoria Pilot Club and are growing foods based on the book Seedfolks, which teaches the value of community and nutrition.

For more information, please contact Patrick Randall, pactrickr@nhpeoria.org, 309-674-1131 ext. 244.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

SCAN

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

Neighborhood House relies on donor support to accomplish our mission of providing a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages. We’re always amazed at the generosity displayed by our supporters, and this year was no different. Thank you for your generosity, and for allowing us to continue feeding, educating, and empowering the Peoria community.

RECURRING DONATIONS

A little at a time can make a big difference. By making your donation recurring, you can make smaller, manageable donations throughout the year that ultimately have a larger impact on the people we serve.

PLANNED GIVING

SHOPPING TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

This year, Neighborhood House partnered with Target Circle and received $3500 in grant funding thanks to the supporters who voted for Neighborhood House. There are more opportunities to give back just by shopping! Learn more about how you can continue to shop while supporting Neighborhood House at Kroger at the website below:

www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

This form of giving allows donors to make a difference beyond their lifetime by including Neighborhood House as a beneficiary of their estate, insurance policies, etc. This form of giving is more sustainable for Neighborhood House as well, as these gifts are typically larger in size and planned well in the future. For more information about donating, contact Cara Domaszewicz at 309-674-1131 ext. 243 or carad@nhpoeoria.org

DONORSOCIETIES

To promote growth and sustainable fundraising at Neighborhood House, we are reintroducing our Donor Societies. We value the support and loyalty of our donors at every level and have thus structured our donor societies in a way that recognizes various donors. By forming these societies, we hope to establish more meaningful connections with our donors and giv r generous support.

AS A DONOR SOCIETY MEMBER, YOU RECEIVE

Your name listed in our annual report and on our website

An invitation to a special donor recognition event

Special event experiences like early entry or VIP tastings

Recognition on the donor wall according to your society

FEEDSOCIETY EDUCATESOCIETY EMPOWERSOCIETY

This donor society recognizes any individuals who pledge over $1000 to Neighborhood House annually. $1,000 makes a big impact for those we serve, as it can provide meals for 100 kids and pay for 10 GED tests. Therefore, we want to acknowledge these individuals for their generosity and making our mission possible

This society is composed of individuals who show their consistent support for Neighborhood House through recurring donations. By donating at least 4 times per year, these donors provide reliable support that allows us to sustainably fund our programs throughout the year.

OAKFORDSOCIETY

Members of the Empower Society demonstrate their commitment to our mission by establishing a planned gift to Neighborhood House. Empower society members receive the benefits of their society for life and are able to make an impact in our community that lasts beyond a lifetime.

This society is reserved for individuals who fit the criteria for more than one of the listed societies AS Oakford founded Neighborhood House over 128 years ago, and we want to honor his memory by acknowledging the donors who go above and beyond to support the mission for which he cared so deeply.

Please contact Cara Domaszewicz at 309-674-1131 ext. 243 or carad@nhpeora.org if you wish not to be acknowledged or have any additional questions.

*Donations made toward fundraising events are not included as qualifying donations for donor societies.

nhpeoria.org

V I N G B A C K

SEASONALCOMMUNITYSUPPORT

COAT GIVEAWAY ANGEL TREE SANTA FOR SENIORS

Every year, Neighborhood House helps community members prepare for winter weather by providing coats, jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves at their annual coat drive. Thanks to generous donors and volunteers, we were able to distribute 415 on the day of the coat drive and many more in the following weeks.

Our angel tree program helps make the holiday season special for our youth program participants and other children within the community while taking the financial stress off of their families’ shoulders.

By collaborating with donors, we were able to provide gifts for over 70 kids this last year!

Many of our Meals on Wheels clients experience isolation and loneliness throughout the year which continues into the holiday season. To help combat these feelings, Neighborhood House partners with local businesses and volunteers to deliver 1,000 gifts to seniors in the Peoria Community.

Here at Neighborhood House, we highly value the individuals who donate their time to help us complete our mission. We know that without their generosity, many of our programs would be unable to operate. For instance, Adult Education classes and Santa for Seniors deliveries rely entirely on volunteers and impact over 1,000 individuals annually. Even still, the efficiency of programs like Food Pantry, Critters Meals on Wheels, and Kitchen operations are impacted significantly by our volunteers. That being said, we are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated their time in this last year to make our mission possible.

nhpeoria.org

PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY VOLUNTEERS IN FY24

Digital Learning Center

Shelf-Stable Meals

Distributing Vouchers for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program

Christmas Food Pantry

Santa for Seniors

Coat Drive

March for Meals

If you’re interested in volunteering, the following opportunities are always available:

Adult Education Tutor

Food Pantry Set Up

Critters’ Meals on Wheels Set Up

Portioning Bread and Fruit for Meals on Wheels

Landscaping and Yardwork

For more information, scan the QR code or contact Noah Palm at 309-674-1131 ext 300 or noahp@nhpeoria.org

@neighborhoodhouseassociationpeoria

@neighborhoodhousepeoria

G I V I N G B A C K

RAGBRAI2023

Our RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) team has had another successful week-long ride across the state of Iowa. Thank you to the Neighborhood House team who chose to ride, fundraise, and raise awareness for our Meals on Wheels program. We had our largest team our riders who pedaled 500 miles to make an impact on our community.

Thank you to all who supported our team of riders. Even without participating your support does not go unnoticed and we are grateful for your commitment to making a difference in our community.

If you are interested in learning more, joining the team for 2025, or supporting our riders, please contact Cara Domaszewicz, at 309-674-1131 ext. 243, carad@nhpeoria.org.

RAGBRAI RIDERS

2023

Bradley Cauffman

Samm Cwinten

Ryan Deemer

Heather Fitzanko

Matt Heberer

Ryan Huber

Robert Lorber

Barbara McMullen

Kevin McMullen

Staci Wolfe

SADDLEUP2023

Thank you to everyone for a successful 2023 Saddle Up! This energetic event brought the Neighborhood House community together in support of our programs and highlighted some deserving individuals.

Congratulations to those award recipients listed below!

A.S. Oakford Award – Jeff and Carrie Peters

Mitchell C. Serafin Award – Midwest Communications

John Brock Award – Kevin Day

After this year, we have decided to retire Saddle Up and revamp our fall event. Over the years, Saddle Up has raised over $300,000 and made a lasting impact on the community. Thank you to all those who supported this event throughout the years!

F U N D R A I S I N G

FOODFIGHT2024

Thank you to everyone who supported our 10th Annual Food Fight. With the community’s generous support we were able to raise enough funds to feed thousands of individuals. A special thank you goes out to all of the local restaurants and bakeries that donated their supplies and talent to the event. We wouldn’t be able to host this event without their generosity!

This year we added a dessert bonus round with a Battle of the Bakers, where local bakeries and pastry chefs competed for the popular vote. This sweet addition raised even more funds for our feeding programs, keeping both our guests and clients happy and fed.

Special shout out to the competing chefs and bakers for your generosity and support towards Food Fight and Neighborhood House. Your hard work directly made an impact on our programs and the event. Thank you!

Congratulations to our Winners!

1ST PLACE

Mark Andrews

Country Club of Peoria

2ND PLACE

Jon Scrivner

Par-A-Dice

Hotel Casino

3RD PLACE

James Hubbartt

Childers Eatery and Catering

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

Bake and Brew Panadaria

Carle Health

Childers Eatery

Cornucopia Natural Deli and Market

Country Club of Peoria

Creve Coeur Club

Fusion 45

Kuna Foods

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

Pickled Radish Provisions

Suite Fire Bar and Grill

W.E. Sullivans

Wildey’s Country Diner

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Russell Trockur

Fusion 45

BATTLE OF THE BAKERS

Brandon Williamson

We are so thankful for all the support and hope you will make a note to attend next year on February 27th, 2025!

Creve Coeur Club

INTRODUCING

HOUSE PARTY: 90S REWIND

OCTOBER 3RD, 2024

WAREHOUSE ON STATE

Join us for our first annual House Party, a nostalgic night filled with games, raffles, and 90s-themed music and food.

In FY 24, Neighborhood House focused on growth. In that process, we decided we wanted to revamp our fall event to better connect with our supporters and celebrate the amazing things happening at Neighborhood House. Scan the QR code below to join us this year and see what’s new on October 3rd at Warehouse on State.

12 DAYS TO FUNDRAISE

DECEMBER 1ST-12TH

Our holiday programs make an important impact on the community, working to keep people happy and healthy throughout the colder months. To help offset the costs and keep these programs running, we began our 12 Days to Fundraise Ugly Sweater Competition. During this campaign, we work with important figures in the community to raise awareness about important needs and funds for Neighborhood House’s programs.

Congrats to the 2023 Champion, Dave Schaab!

Midwest Communications

WMBD

RLI

River City Construction

Standard Heating and Cooling

Cefcu

Erie Insurance

OSF Healthcare

Tito’s Handmade Vodka