Take the SNAP Hunger Challenge!
September 19 - 25
More than 1.6 million people in our state live on $4.50 a day – can you?
From September 19-25, during Hunger Action Month, Feeding Illinois challenges you to live on $4.50 a day for seven days. Click here to learn more and take the Challenge!
TANF Stimulus Funds Help Feeding Illinois Feed Hungry Children This Summer
Feeding Illinois has received more than $2.7 million dollars in public and private funds for its Healthy Families Program to feed hungry children this summer, when they are at high risk of poor nutrition.
The funding for additional nutritious food during the summer comes at a time when more than half a million children in the state of Illinois wonder where their next meal is coming from. There is a significant spike in demand for food during summer months when children are out of school and do not have access to the free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs. Many families are unable to make ends meet and resort to literally taking turns eating at different meals throughout the day so they can stretch their food. These meals will be rich with fresh fruits and vegetables and will include nutritious main dishes that are easy for children to prepare for themselves like chicken soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
The funding enables Feeding Illinois and its member food banks to purchase 5.5 million pounds of nutritious, child-friendly food providing 4.3 million meals across the state. Approximately 1.5 million pounds of fresh produce is being distributed directly to families with children through both partner food pantries and the food banks’ own mobile food pantries. The program began in mid-June 2010, as the school year ended.
Feeding Illinois and its member food banks are grateful for the partnership of the following organizations that made this project possible:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Walmart Foundation
- The Chicago Community Trust
- J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation
Feeding Illinois (formerly known as the Illinois Food Bank Association) is a coalition of eight Feeding America food banks providing food to nearly 2000 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that feed nearly 900,000 residents across the entire state of Illinois. Feeding Illinois is committed to educating people about the role of food banks in addressing hunger and raising awareness of the need to devote more resources and attention to hunger issues.
Email us for more information.
