December 18, 2025 – WSOY, NowDecatur, United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois, ADM, Kroger, Decatur Park District, and our community partners; Buds and Blooms, Central Illinois Media Group, Colee’s Corner Drug, Dales Southlake Pharmacy, Decatur Back and Neck, Dynagraphics, First Mid Bank and Insurance Group, Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Hickory Point Bank, Investment Planners Inc., Jones and Thomas/JT Net, McDonald’s Decatur, McLeod Express, Skeff Distributing, Speed Lube, and WAND-TV are pleased to announce over $860,000 in food and grant funding to our local pantries and feeding programs.
Organizers of the 2025 WSOY Community Food Drive are celebrating the community’s generosity which will help agencies continue their work at a time when demand for food assistance remains high. While this year’s food drive delivered critical resources, local pantries continue to navigate ongoing challenges, including rising food costs, reduced federal nutrition funding, and an increase in families seeking help for the first time. Agencies report continued growth in need among households with young children, seniors on fixed incomes, and working families stretched by the rising cost of living.
“Macon County continues to rank among the areas with the highest food insecurity in Illinois,” said Debbie Bogle, President of United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois and Food Drive Co-Chair. “What’s encouraging is that this community continues to respond with compassion and generosity. These funds will make an immediate difference for families who need support today, while reminding us that ongoing commitment is essential.”
Organizers say the strength of the food drive lies not only in the total raised, but in the collective action of thousands of donors, volunteers, and partners who refuse to let hunger go unnoticed.
“This community doesn’t turn away when times get tough,” said Brian Byers, Co-Founder of the WSOY Community Food Drive. “When food pantries told us they were under pressure, people stepped up—again. This food drive proves that even in challenging times, our neighbors look out for one another.”
That spirit of unity continues to fuel the mission moving forward, as agencies prepare for sustained demand in the months ahead.
“Community support is the heartbeat of the WSOY Community Food Drive,” said Kevin Breheny, Co-Founder. “Every gift—whether food, funds, or time—creates stability for our local pantries and hope for the families they serve. This year’s success shows what’s possible when Decatur comes together, and it gives us momentum to keep going.”
In addition to the thousands of pounds of food raised during the WSOY Community Food Drive on October 3rd, the WSOY Food Drive is pleased to announce grant awards based on agency requests to the following organizations:
· Catholic Charities – $120,000
· Good Samaritan Inn – $56,125
· Northeast Community Fund Thanksgiving Basket Project – $85,000
· Helping Hands Food Pantry – $6,375
· Interchurch Council of Blue Mound Boody and Stonington- $20,250
· Mt Zion Food Pantry – $6,750
· Maroa Public Library Food Pantry – $1,500
· Niantic Christian Church Food Pantry – $5,620
· Niantic Methodist Church Food Pantry – $3,000
· Millikin Market – $3,000
· Salvation Army – $101,746
-Northeast Community Fund Food Pantry – $112,500
-Northeast Community Fund Mobile Pantry – $35,000
-Gods Shelter of Love – $7,500
AMELCA- $24,863
-RCC Food Pantry – $3,500
-Crossing Prescription Garden Program $15,000
-New Vision Food Pantry – $30,000
-Water Street Mission – $10,000
– Dove, Inc. Food Pantry – $3000
In addition, the WSOY Community Food Drive is awarding cash prizes to the schools that raised the most funds for the Drive in 2025. Prizes have been made possible by our community partners and sponsors. Thanks to a generous donation from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, the cash prizes were doubled.
-1st place – St. Teresa High School – $5000
-2nd place – Mt Zion High School – $3000
-3rd place – St. Patrick School – $2000
– 4th place – Our Lady of Lourdes- $1500
– 5th place – Maroa Forsyth High School- $1000
The Reed and Morris Families added an exciting twist to the 2025 WSOY Community Food Drive with a special Teacher Challenge — offering $1,000 to the teacher whose classroom raises the most food and donations, and $500 to the second-place teacher. This prize giveaway is in addition to the school-wide competition, giving educators two opportunities to win while helping fight hunger in Macon County.
The winning teachers were the following:
– 1st place – Sarah Pritts – Montessori Academy for Peace- $1000
– 2nd place – Julie Keith – Maroa Forsyth Grade School – $500
Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, the WSOY Community Food Drive is excited to announce its return in 2026. Additional details will be shared at a later date.
