October 2, 2024 – The countdown is on for the WSOY Community Food Drive on October 4th at the Kroger on Rt 36, and the need couldn’t be greater.
Macon County has one of the 10 highest rates of food insecurity in Illinois at 12.5% community pantries are running critically low on supply and funds.
One of the fastest-growing populations using food pantry assistance is ALICE families. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed —earning more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics. 26% of families in Macon County are considered ALICE families. This means that 1 in 4 families in Macon County are defined as ALICE Households. Many of these families are seeking assistance from local pantries for the first time as they do not qualify for traditional assistance.
Part of the reason for the rise in need is the cost of food and household essentials wages failing to keep pace. According to the USDA, food prices have risen more than 25% since 2020. Food prices are currently the third highest consumer expense. In addition, temporary public assistance due to COVID has reverted to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, Over 1,660,0001 households in Illinois were below the ALICE Threshold; by 2022, that number had changed to 1,839,913.
To help our local community, please consider giving to the WSOY Community Food Drive.
- YOU CAN DONATE IN PERSON- Kroger on Rt. 36, Airport Plaza, Rt 36 – Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted. Please note: Food Drive Donations should enter from Airport Plaza Dr for donation drive-through and will exit on Maryland Ave. Parking and Kroger Shoppers should use the Maryland Ave entrance near the fuel center to access the parking lot.
- CALL 217-405-FOOD (3663) on October 4th. Please note this phone line will only be in operation on October 4th from 6am to 6pm.
- YOU CAN GIVE ONLINE HERE.
- YOU CAN VENMO YOUR DONATION – @UWDecatur
- TEXT- WSOY to 26989 to make a donation
- MAIL DONATION- Make your donation payable to the United Way (Food Drive in Memo)- 201 W Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62522
Don’t forget to credit your favorite local school! Schools are competing to win cash prizes that are provided by our community partners. But because of a generous gift from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, ALL PRIZE MONEY WILL BE DOUBLED! Anyone can donate in the name of a school of their choice.
- 1st place is NOW $5000
- 2nd place is NOW $3000
- 3rd place is NOW $2000
- 4th place is NOW $1500
- 5th place is NOW $1000
Plus, there are incentives for donors as well! Each $500 donation is one entry for a chance to win a VIP St Louis Cardinals experience. The prize includes 4 box seats, dinner at Champions Club, KMOX booth tour and meet and greet with KMOX/Cardinal’s broadcaster Mike Claiborne, and a two-bedroom suite at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.
Each $25 donation made through the phone bank is an entry for a chance to win a downtown Decatur gift card shopping spree valued at over $400. Businesses include Shop on Main, All Things Beautiful, Decatur Brew Works, Giggles, Brass Horn, Coney McKanes, Merle Norman, Hotshots, Donnie’s Homespun, Downtown Cafe, Taproot, Capellis, and Art Farm.
To learn more about the WSOY Community Food Drive, click HERE.
