August 5, 2026 – The WSOY Community Food Drive has announced the annual event will be held on Friday, October 2nd, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Airport Plaza Kroger on Rt. 36 (1818 Airport Plaza, Decatur).
The event is presented by WSOY, NowDecatur, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, ADM, Kroger, the Decatur Park District, The Andreas Foundation and our dedicated community partners—Buds and Blooms, Central Illinois Media Group, Colee’s Corner Drug, Dale’s 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 Trucking, Skeff Distributing, Speed Lube, and WAND-TV.
Growing Need Across Our Community
Families across Macon County continue to face increasing financial pressure as the cost of living continues to rise. Recent changes to SNAP benefits have added to that strain, forcing many households to make impossible choices between buying food and paying essential bills.
Local food pantries are reporting an increase in first-time visitors, including working families, seniors living on fixed incomes, and households with children who have never needed assistance before. For many, a visit to a food pantry can mean the difference between putting meals on the table or paying the electric bill, filling a prescription, or keeping gas in the car to get to work.
Every donation made during the WSOY Community Food Drive stays local and helps provide nutritious food to our neighbors when they need it most.
The impact of your donation:
- $5 provides 1 meal
- $25 provides 5 meals
- $50 provides 10 meals
- $100 provides 20 meals
- $500 provides 100 meals
- $1,000 provides 200 meals
Even a small gift can make a meaningful difference for a family facing unexpected hardship.
“Food insecurity doesn’t always look the way people expect. Today, many of the people turning to local food pantries are working families, seniors, and parents who never imagined they would need help. As the cost of living remains high and changes to SNAP benefits stretch already tight budgets, more of our neighbors are struggling. Food is not a privilege. It’s a human right. The WSOY Community Food Drive ensures our local pantries have the resources to respond when families need them most,” says Debbie Bogle, President, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois & WSOY Community Food Drive Co-Chair.
“Year after year, our community continues to show what makes Macon County special. Businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals come together because they understand that hunger is something we can fight together. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who gives so generously. Their support turns compassion into action and makes this food drive possible,” said Kevin Breheny, Co-Founder, WSOY Community Food Drive
“Every donation has a real impact. A five-dollar gift can provide a meal for someone who may otherwise go without. A hundred dollars can help provide twenty meals for local families. Whether it’s helping parents feed their children, allowing a senior to afford both groceries and medication, or making sure someone doesn’t have to choose between food and keeping the lights on, every contribution stays here in our community and changes lives,” added Brian Byers, Co-Founder, WSOY Community Food Drive.
How to Give
Monetary and food donations are the most impactful way to support the WSOY Community Food Drive. 100% of funds raised go directly to local food pantries and organizations.
- Donate online at www.wsoyfooddrive.com
- Text to Give: Text WSOY to 26989
- Checks can be made payable to: United Way c/o WSOY Community Food Drive and mailed to 201 W. Eldorado St., Decatur, IL 62522
- In-person monetary and non-perishable food donations will be accepted at Kroger on Rt. 36 on October 2nd, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (cash, check, or charge)
- Phone lines will also be open all day for donations and pledges
- Fundraising and collecting food using easy-to-use Fundraising Tool Kits available at www.wsoyfooddrive.com, from promotional materials to creative ideas for engaging your group or business.
- Share the WSOY Community Food Drive on your personal or business social media, include it in your company newsletters, and display it proudly on your business marquee. Every post, mention, and message helps us fight hunger in our community! Materials are available at www.wsoyfooddrive.com
- Get involved and volunteer! Volunteer sign-ups are now open at www.wsoyfooddrive.com
Support Your School—And Win Big!
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, to volunteer, donate, get involved or request more information or materials, go to wsoyfooddrive.com
