October 3, 2025 – The 2025 WSOY Community Food Drive is now underway at the Kroger on Route 36, uniting the community in the fight against hunger. In it’s 22nd year, the drive continues its mission to stock the shelves of local food pantries and support families across Macon County.
From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., WSOY will broadcast live as schools, businesses, churches, and community groups bring their donations. Plus you will hear from community leaders, the agencies served and from the families who are helped most by your generousity. You can listen live to the broadcast on WSOY 1340am/ 103.3fm, online HERE or on the free NowDecatur app.
Every pound of food and every dollar raised goes directly to support local agencies including Northeast Community Fund, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, The Good Samaritan Inn, and many others.
Last year’s drive raised more than $800,000 in donations, funding thousands of meals. Initially, that amount represented 75% of the food budgets of every local food pantry in Macon County. However, due to cuts in federal grant funding, the cancellation of a number of federal programs, unprecidented increased need, and a historic rise in food prices, the funds did not go as far as our pantries hoped. Organizers hope this year will be able to not only bridge that gap, but raise enough funds to ensure that no family in Macon County goes hungry.
How to Give Today:
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Drop Off Food or donetary donations: Bring non-perishable donations, cash, checks (credit card is also accepted)to Kroger on Rt. 36 from 6am to 6pm today.
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Give Online: Make a secure donation anytime at WSOYFoodDrive.com.
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By Phone: Call the Food Drive phone bank at 217-864-5070 to donate by credit card or pledge.
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Venmo: @UWDecatur
- Text- WSOY to 26989
“Macon County continues to face one of the ten highest food insecurity rates in Illinois,” said Debbie Bogle, President of United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois and Food Drive Co-Chair. “More working families—especially those with small children—and more seniors on fixed incomes are walking through pantry doors. The need is real, and it’s growing.”
“We are on the edge of a real crisis. Food pantries are telling us they’re seeing more need than ever before—and they have fewer resources to meet it. This isn’t a community that allows a child to go to bed hungry. This community steps up. We take care of each other. And that’s exactly what this food drive is about,” said Brian Byers, Co-Founder, WSOY Community Food Drive.
WIN CASH FOR YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we’ll once again award cash prizes to the top five schools collecting the most food and/or funds. Thanks to the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, these prizes have doubled! Anyone can donate in support of a participating Macon County K-12 school.
Cash Awards:
- 1st Place – $5000
- 2nd Place – $3000
- 3rd Place – $2000
- 4th Place – $1500
- 5th Place – $1000
For more information, or to give, visit WSOYFoodDrive.com
