NACS Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish Program Recovers 120,000 Pounds of Food to Fight Hunger in Chicago and Beyond

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago, the NACS Foundation in partnership with FoodRecovery.org, led one of the most ambitious food recovery efforts in the event’s history, collecting more than 120,000 pounds of surplus food, beverages, and supplies from 49 exhibitors. These donations provided 100,292 meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

“This is what community impact looks like in real time. We didn’t just recover food — we will be feeding families across Chicago through December with just this one effort.” Kevin O’Connell, Executive Director of the NACS Foundation

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As it became clear the government would allow SNAP benefits to expire for millions of Americans on November 1, the NACS Foundation’s food recovery initiative, called Neighborhood Nourish, became an even larger priority. This national hunger relief effort unites the convenience industry to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food.

“This is what community impact looks like in real time. We didn’t just recover food — we will be feeding families across Chicago through December with just this one effort,” said Kevin O’Connell, Executive Director of the NACS Foundation. “This collaboration with our partners and volunteers turned a trade show surplus into a real solution, and we are charting a path others can follow.”

Vontier, a global provider of technologies and solutions that help manage and scale the mobility ecosystem, lent its volunteer power to the effort and made a $50,000 donation. This boosted the capacity of the team to move food from the show floor into trucks to ensure it arrived at the food banks safely.

“Partnering with Neighborhood Nourish aligns with the Vontier Foundation's mission to drive positive change in the communities we serve. Together we're working with the broader convenience retail industry to fight food insecurity, create healthier, more resilient communities, and contribute to a culture of giving and sustainability,” said Katie Rowen, Chief Administrative Officer, Vontier and President, Vontier Foundation.

Impact by the Numbers

Below is the total impact of the three-day effort:

• 120,380 pounds of food recovered
• 100,292 meals provided
• 79 volunteers mobilized
• 49 exhibitor donors
• 5 Chicago-based nonprofit recipients, including:
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository
  • Breakthrough
  • Mission of Our Lady of the Angels
  • Shepherd’s Hope
  • Hands of Hope

To learn more about how your company or organization can support Neighborhood Nourish, visit nacsfoundation.org or contact Kevin O’Connell at koconnell@convenience.org.

About the NACS Foundation

NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the global industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience and suppliers across the U.S., the NACS Foundation propels brighter futures by unifying and amplifying the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry in communities across America.