Theresa Grzenia, Founder at 4kids Sake Food Pantry | https://static.wixstatic.com/
Theresa Grzenia, Founder at 4kids Sake Food Pantry | https://static.wixstatic.com/
The listed appropriations included two grants of $250,000, plus an additional grant of $10,000, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 2012 by Theresa Grzenia, 4kids Sake Food Pantry states that its mission is: “4 K.I.D.S Sake is a non-profit organization that strives to assist and advocate on behalf of children to better the lives of kids in difficult situations by fulfilling whatever their needs may be.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $447,832 in total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $447,827 in contributions overall. It also reported $447,827 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, 4kids Sake Food Pantry had $115,951 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $95,020, indicating an 18.1% decline in overall holdings.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
4kids Sake Food Pantry is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | $510,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Diana Angelica Diaz | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | James Grzenia | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Jennifer E Clark | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Julie Lehmann | Director Of Operations |
| 2024-2024 | Pattie Hollaway | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Shirley J Grzenia | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Theresa Grzenia | Founder Ceo |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Linda Lou Neal | Therapist, Case Manager, Kerrville Office Manager | - |
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