Executive Chef Joe Frillman Highlights “Hunger Hero” Annual Luncheon

Area residents are invited to attend the upcoming “Hunger Hero” Luncheon, hosted by Hunger Resource Network (HRN), Northbrook, this year featuring keynote speaker Executive Chef and Proprietor Joe Frillman, a leading voice in sustainability and low waste measures in restaurant kitchens throughout the Chicagoland area.

The event will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (doors open for networking at 11 a.m.) at Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling, IL.

Tickets are available for purchase at $75.00 each or $700 per table of ten; donations and sponsorships are appreciated. Visit: Hunger Hero Luncheon 2026.

HRN Luncheon Honors Hunger Heroes

Chef Joe Frillman is the Executive Chef & Proprietor of Daisies, Chicago’s Michelin Green Star–awarded restaurant known for its sustainable, vegetable-focused cuisine. A two-time James Beard semifinalist and Eater Chicago’s 2024 Chef of the Year, Chef Joe is a nationally recognized leader in responsible food systems.

His passion for sustainability, community, and equitable access to quality food beautifully reflects the mission of Hunger Resource Network. In the kitchen, he implements radical low-waste measures — upcycling food scraps, preserving excess, and composting — not only to reduce the restaurant’s footprint but to influence broader the agricultural system at large.

He also uses Daisies as a platform for education and advocacy, organizing open-to-the-public coffee chats with leading voices in sustainability in partnership with Green City Market, Chicago’s first year-round nonprofit farmers' market.

In addition,Village Treasure House in Northbrook, a unique, charitable consignment showroom, will be honored for their longstanding donations (over ten years) to Hunger Resource Network. Wendy Ban and Sally Claffey co-presidents of VTH Board will accept the award on behalf of the non-profit organization.

Meghan Rosenfeld will be honored for being the Hunger Resource Network Volunteer of the Year. Meghan has been a dedicated volunteer with Hunger Resource Network for the past three years. Meghan generously shares her time and expertise in several key areas of the organization, including grant funding, support, administrative work, and event planning.

Hunger Hero Sponsorship Recruitment is Underway

Luncheon sponsorships are currently highlighted by Premier Sponsor, Sunset Foods and Silver Sponsor, First Bank of Highland Park.

2026 Spring Hunger Hero Luncheon Sponsorship Information and Benefits

Premier Sponsor:

$3,500: ten complimentary annual luncheon tickets. Opportunity to provide giveaways for all attendees. Logo on all digital and print materials. Opportunity to set up a table at the event. Prominent recognition at the luncheon and on social media. Premium signage at event. Quarterly newsletter posting for one year.

Gold Sponsor:

$2,500: Four complimentary luncheon tickets. Logo on all digital and print materials. Opportunity to set up a table at the event. Prominent recognition at the luncheon and on social media.

Silver Sponsor:

$1,500: Two complimentary luncheon tickets. Name on all digital and print materials. Prominent recognition at the luncheon and on social media.

Bronze Sponsor:

$600: One complimentary luncheon ticket. Name on all digital and print materials. Prominent recognition at the luncheon and on social media.

Tabletop Sponsor: $350 Tabletop sign and name on all digital and print material.

About Hunger Resource Network: Providing Protein to Those in Need

HRN is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to working in partnership with corporations, organizations and individuals who share a commitment to feed the hungry. Its mission is to aid in the alleviation of hunger by helping meet the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. There are dozens of businesses and foundations who are HRN benefactors.

On Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day, eighty tons of frozen chicken are distributed to service agencies. In the last two years, HRN distributed a record amount of 640,000lbs. (of chicken to one hundred food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens throughout the Chicagoland area during Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day (four most recent events through March 2026).

Every event provides320,000 servings of protein to individuals in need. Poultry to Pantries Delivery Day is held twice a year in Spring and Fall. Since 2009 more than 5 million lbs. of food have been distributed to Chicagoland neighbors in need. A donation of $25.00 provides 113 protein servings to those in need.

Become a “Hunger Hero”

For additional information, to volunteer or donate, contact HRN at 847-272-1700 or go to www.hungerresourcenetwork.org