The Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency said its Good Food Pantry was busy even before the threat of pausing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“It is busy from the time we open to the time we leave,” said Jamie Roth, Community Services and Public Relations Director. “Earlier this week, so many people were coming to us at once that the lobby was full and people were needing to stand outside.”
The pantry is located at 133 W. Jackson St. in downtown Macomb. Visitors are allowed to browse the aisles and choose their food, just as they would at a grocery store.
WIRC said the number of people it helped in September was up 31% compared to September 2024, and a record 211 people visited the pantry during the four hours it was open on Thursday, Oct. 23.
The agency also said the pantry assists nearly 10% of McDonough County’s entire population, which was 27,238 according to the 2020 U.S. census.
“These are friends, neighbors, senior citizens, families working multiple jobs, some with children. These are not people who are sitting back and waiting for the assistance to come in,” Roth said.
“These are hard-working families here in McDonough County, permanent residents, who are just needing a boost. They’re needing a helping hand, and times are really tough right now.”
Roth said the Good Food Pantry is funded through community donations and state and federal grants
The plan while SNAP is paused
The food pantry has developed a three-part plan to continue helping families while handling the expected increase in demand during the pause in SNAP benefits:
- Increase the number of certain products allowed per household
- Encourage the public to hold food drives for shelf-stable products and spices
- Increase volunteer opportunities to ensure the shelves stay as full as possible
Roth also said monetary donations are especially helpful.
“Your dollar goes farther when you make a monetary donation because we can get food at a discount compared to the general public,” Roth said, pointing out they work through the River Bend Food Bank.
“So while we may spend about $5,000 to $7,000 per month on food, the value of that food is actually closer to $14,000.”
The pantry is open to McDonough County residents from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for holidays.
Information about enrollment guidelines can be obtained by contacting Kelly at 309-313-2049 or by visiting the Good Food Pantry’s Facebook page.
Eligible households receive around two weeks’ worth of food every 30 days.
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