November 17, 2024 – An Honorary Street sign was unveiled on Friday to honor longtime volunteer and community advocate Jerry Pelz.
The sign is located at the corner of E. King St. & Martin Luther King Blvd. near Northeast Community Fund.
Pelz started the Northeast Community Fund (NECF) with one food basket. Now NECF houses a food bank, clothing room, services such as small repairs of homes, a microfinance program, and a partnership with the Hope Academy that provides training and education for parents and students.
Pelz has served on various boards and committees, including: Mental Health Association, Cooperative Extension, Senior Center, United Way, Macon County Health Department, Good Samaritan Inn and Central Illinois Foodbank.
A committee comprised of one member from the Decatur City Council, city staff, the Decatur Police Department, neighborhood organizations, and the community at large, unanimously recommended approval of the designation. In October of 2024, the City Council unanimously supported the designation.
