Central Illinois Foodbank Announces Investment from Caterpillar Foundation to Help Fight Hunger for More Than 15,000 People in Macon County
Springfield, IL, (July 12, 2019)– Today, Central Illinois Foodbank announced a $50,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to provide food to more than 15,000 people who face hunger in Macon County. A member of the Feeding America network, Central Illinois Foodbank is one of 30 food banks selected to receive this grant, which helps support local hunger relief efforts.
"People who face hunger do not have regular access to enough food for a healthy, active life. Central Illinois Foodbank is thankful to the Caterpillar Foundation for its commitment to helping to support families in central and southern Illinois,” said Pam Molitoris, executive director of Central Illinois Foodbank.
More than 15,000 people in Macon County face hunger, including over 4,000 children. This grant will allow the Foodbank to hold multiple Healthy Foods Distributions in community locations throughout Macon County. At these distributions, Foodbank staff will deliver food to a designated site on a refrigerated truck. Volunteers will then arrange food similar to a farmers market and individuals and families will select items they would like, including fresh produce, lean protein and milk. On average, over 450 individuals are served at each distribution.
“The Caterpillar Foundation supports programs that alleviate poverty in communities in which we live and work. We are proud to partner with Central Illinois Foodbank to support individuals in Macon County who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Kathryn Karol, Caterpillar vice president and chairman of the Caterpillar Foundation Board of Directors. “When people’s basic human needs are met, they are able to more effectively pursue economic and educational opportunities. And when they can do so, an entire community can benefit.”
Since 2015, Caterpillar Foundation has provided $3.9 million in county-level grants to Feeding America food banks. Caterpillar Foundation’s grants also helped food banks provide 10.5 million pounds of food in counties where Caterpillar employees live and work. This donation will help provide over 300,000 meals to local children and families in need.
For more information about Central Illinois Foodbank and to find a list of upcoming Healthy Foods Distributions, visit: www.centralilfoodbank.org.
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About Central Illinois Foodbank
Central Illinois Foodbank, established in 1982, distributes 9 million pounds of food annually to over 160 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region. Central Illinois Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. The mission of the Foodbank is to provide food, and develop awareness of and creative solutions for food insecurity.
About Caterpillar Foundation
Founded in 1952, Caterpillar's philanthropic organization, the Caterpillar Foundation, has contributed more than $740 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of basic needs, education and environmental sustainability. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, visit www.togetherstronger.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.