Great Full Market
Thank You for Supporting the 2025 Great Full Market!
Our Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood communities once again partnered with Quest Food Management Services and other local organizations to support the Great Full Market—a volunteer-led effort launched in 2021 to provide Waukegan families with fresh produce, pantry staples, and meaningful connections through a free community market.
While the heart of the mission remains the same, this year’s format looked a little different. Instead of gathering at a single in-person market, volunteers assembled thousands of pounds of fresh produce, canned and dry goods, and personal care items into ready-to-deliver bags. These essential groceries were distributed directly to Waukegan families through local schools and Beacon Place—expanding our reach and removing barriers to access.
A Community Joining Together
The Hearts Behind the Great Full Market
The Great Full Market exists because no one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. When Deer Path Middle School student Paul Helms first realized how many families in Lake County face hunger, he felt compelled to act, and with the support of classmate Brady Stadolnik, a movement began. Each year, students, families, and community partners come together to honor that vision and stand alongside our neighbors in Waukegan. By sharing fresh, healthy food and joyful experiences, we hope to ease the burden of food insecurity and remind every family that they are seen, valued, and supported.
FULL PLATES. FULL HEARTS.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Project F_LL is a tri-district partnership between School Districts 65, 67, and 115. A committee made up of students, staff, and parent volunteers from these three districts coordinate efforts to collect and distribute food or donations to address food insecurity and shortages in Lake County and the surrounding areas. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Project F_LL, all donations will be used to support these efforts through a variety of programs and events offered throughout the school year, including food drives and community markets.
What is food insecurity, and what does it look like in America?
Food insecurity occurs when a household cannot access enough food because of limited money or other essential resources. It is often part of a cycle that can be difficult to break, influenced by multiple factors such as household income, expenses, access to affordable health care, and the social and physical environment. Barriers to opportunity within a community and the broader environment also play a role in how widespread food insecurity becomes.
About Food Insecurity In Lake County, IL
According to the most recent data from Feeding America, in 2023, approximately 78,090 residents, or 11% of the Lake County population, are living with food insecurity. That's more than 1 in every 10 Lake County residents.
