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Barrington Children’s Charities (BCC) and its mission to positively impact the lives of children have always spoken to JESSICA HOFFMANN, who now serves as the nonprofit’s Director of Programming. “After volunteering for many years at BCC packing events, my husband I joined the Board of Directors,” explains Hoffmann. “Following COVID and our efforts to continue packing with limited resources, I moved into the role of coordinating our volunteers and packing program at Sunny Hill Elementary.” With the help of many behind-the-scenes hands, she and her team create weekly magic at their Packs of Plenty (POP) volunteer sessions at Sunny Hill Elementary. Hoffmann also serves as a Barrington Hills Village Trustee.
What excites you most about the future of your industry? Food insecurity is a real problem in the U.S., no matter what community you reside. I hope we are able to find ways to keep our children and students fed while they learn and grow their bodies.
What conversations are you passionate about bringing to the table? The inability for families to feed their children is becoming an epidemic. I love to brainstorm and converse with others in this space, about effective ways to feed those in our community who are struggling with food insecurity.
How do you give back to your community or industry? We pack every Thursday during the school year to feed roughly 500 students each week in Barrington 220 schools. This last year, BCC also funded a new Essential Needs Pantry at Barrington High School. With the help of the PTO, we were able to realize a vision we’ve had to service our high school students more effectively. Not only does the pantry provide food to students, but also hygiene products and other essential needs. BCC also funds the 100 POPs that go out of Prairie Middle School through their Transitions Student program. They provide POPs to Prairie students as well as our ELC friends. Lastly, we supply a small “pantry” at Station Middle School. We are very proud of realizing the goal of representing all the schools and students in the district.
How do you maintain balance between your professional and personal life? Service is a huge part of my life and the one thing that keeps me balanced.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind? Well-rounded, thoughtful, caring, and content kids. That would be by greatest legacy to leave behind.
For more information about Barrington Children’s Charities, visit barringtonchildrenscharities.com. You may follow Hoffmann on Facebook or Instagram @jessica.r.hoffmann.
