PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Over 45,000 people in the tri-county area are struggling with food insecurity, according to 2023 numbers from Feeding America, but a local non-profit is stepping up to make a difference.
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois has donated $40,000 to 16 different food banks in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties.
The recipients in Peoria County include:
- Peoria Friendship House
- Neighborhood House
- Dream Center Peoria
- Sophia’s Kitchen
- The Salvation Army
- Midwest Food Bank
Food banks in Tazewell County receiving a donation include:
- Hope Chest
- East Peoria First United Methodist Church
- Washington Helps Its People
- Tremont Food Pantry
- Mackinaw Community Center Food Pantry
In Woodford County, the following food banks received part of the donation:
- Heartline Heart House
- Roanoke-Benson Hope Center
- El Paso Food Pantry
- Open Arms Food Pantry
- Minonk Township Food Pantry
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois chose to focus on food insecurity with this donation, due to the challenges many local food pantries are facing.
Mark Roberts, the president and CEO of the organization, told 25 News that he hopes donations like this will encourage more people to step up and help those in need.
“Some of the people have said that this is a blessing. That this a godsend for them at this time,” Roberts said. “This is just the community foundation doing what we do. The real impact is going to be if other members of the community come alongside to help.”
Roberts said that the people of Central Illinois are among the most generous, and helping others is “just what we do.”
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