34,000-Pound Food Donation to Support Central Illinois Foodbank

Donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will support foodbank’s work across central Illinois

More than 34,000 pounds of food arrived at Central Illinois Foodbank on Wednesday, August 26 at 8 a.m., providing additional resources to help the organization serve individuals and families throughout its 21-county service area.

The semi-truck of food is being donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the Church’s participation in America Gives, a nationwide service initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. In recognition of the anniversary, the Church is donating 250 truckloads of food to food banks across all 50 states during 2026.

Central Illinois Foodbank plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity throughout central and southern Illinois. Through a network of 140 partner agencies and other community organizations, the Foodbank distributes more than 8 million meals of nutritious food annually to neighbors throughout the region.

Leaders from the Springfield Illinois Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently met with members of Central Illinois Foodbank’s leadership team to learn more about the organization’s work, its reach throughout the region and opportunities for local members to volunteer and serve.

“We came away from our visit incredibly impressed by the scope of the work Central Illinois Foodbank is doing and the number of communities they are able to reach,” said Bryan Leonard, president of the Springfield Illinois Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “They have built a remarkable network that connects available resources with local organizations that know their communities and their neighbors. We are grateful that this donation can support that work.”

Central Illinois Foodbank serves communities across a large geographic area, including many smaller towns and rural areas. By working with established local agencies and community organizations, the Foodbank is able to move resources from donors and suppliers to communities where they are needed.

That network also provides an effective way for organizations with food and commodities available for donation to reach individuals and families throughout the region.

“Caring for those in need is a central mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church has opportunities from time to time to provide food and other commodities, and Central Illinois Foodbank has the expertise, infrastructure and relationships to help get those resources where they can do the most good,” Leonard said. “We hope this is the beginning of a relationship that will give us opportunities to support their work when we can, volunteer alongside them and find other meaningful ways to serve our neighbors in the years ahead.”

An additional truckload of food and commodities from the Church is currently planned for delivery to Central Illinois Foodbank in late-September.

For Central Illinois Foodbank, contributions from organizations, businesses, farmers and individuals become part of a much larger community effort to address hunger. Food received at its Springfield facility can ultimately reach families throughout its 21-county service area.

“Ultimately, this isn’t about a truck or even 34,000 pounds of food,” Leonard said. “It is about what Central Illinois Foodbank and its local partners are able to do with those resources. They know the communities they serve, and they know how to turn a donation like this into help for thousands of our neighbors. We are pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to that effort.”