Loaves and Fishes Night to End Hunger Gala
By Anna Hughes | Photos by Time Stops Photography
Loaves & Fishes Community Services held their annual gala to raise awareness around food insecurity in the Chicagoland area. ABC7’s Dionne Miller emceed the event at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook, surrounded by community members supporting one of the largest food pantries in Illinois.
The nonprofit serves more than 8,000 people each week, supplying them with fruits, vegetables, and more. Through these meals and their CARES program, they fulfill their mission of providing healthy food and impactful programs to promote self-sufficiency.
Their goal, made possible by fundraising events like these, is to end hunger and transform lives.
Yevette Saba, President Edward Hospital, Gina Sharp, President/CEO Linden Oaks, and Dr. Kimberly Darey, President of Elmhurst Hospital
Mike Havala, CEO Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Dionne Miller ABC7 News, Nancy Wiersum, VP Advancement Loaves & Fishes Community Services
L-R Maria McTarnaghan, Toni Havala, Natasha Marriner, Heather Chura, and Julie Lakner
Jacque & Doug Clermont
Benny & Kim White and Heather and Joe Chura
Matthew & Jess McHugh, Gail Niermeyer, Mary Ann & Brand Bobosky
Yevette Saba, President Edward Hospital, Gina Sharp, President/CEO Linden Oaks, and Dr. Kimberly Darey, President of Elmhurst Hospital
![Aili Flannery’s award-winning sculpture, “Process,” was made of copper, string, copper wire, glass beads, glass, rust-stained fabric, lace, turmeric sun-printed paper, and thread. It represents “the timeline of having depression to the process of healing,” Flannery explained, and the theme is rooted in her own experiences. “‘Start’ shows up again at the end [of the piece], because I was ready to start healing and to continue living.”](https://dupagemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26-1-DG-Scholastic-Art-Writing-Awards.jpg "26-1 DG Scholastic Art & Writing Awards")
