Eastern Illinois Foodbank Announces Pop-Up Food Pantries for Veterans in Danville & Mattoon

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will host the following Pop-Up Food Pantries serving veterans in need:

• Tuesday, March 28, 2017 from 10am-11:30am at Cannon Place Community Center at the VA Illiana Healthcare System
  (1900 E Main, Danville, IL) Visitors – follow the helipad sign from Lot E to access distribution site.
• Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 10am-11:30am at The Salvation Army Mattoon
  (1300 Richmond, Mattoon, IL)

Pop-Up Food Pantries for veterans are made possible thanks to a grant from the Yahoo Employee Foundation.

Pop-Up Food Pantries are single day, mobile food pantry distributions that are staffed almost entirely by volunteers. These distributions are designed to increase access to nutritious food to veterans who are struggling to make ends meet.  Approximately 10,000 pounds of food including pantry staples, produce, bread and bakery items, will be shared with 100-150 veteran households.

The Pop-Up Food Pantry program was created to address the issue of food insecurity among veteran households.  Rates of homelessness and unemployment are disproportionate from civilian rates and the VA Illiana Health Care System serves nearly 1,000 homeless veterans every year.  The collaboration between the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Danville VA has provided access to emergency food and wrap-around services such as medical, housing and mental health treatment and outreach, creating a one stop shop for veterans to receive assistance.

To be eligible, veterans must present proof of veteran status and meet the income eligibility guidelines below.  Other area Pop-Up Food Pantry distributions and emergency food resources can be found by visiting the Foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org and clicking “find help.”

If you or your organization would like to volunteer on a Pop-Up Food Pantry, please contact the Foodbank at volunteer@eifoodbank.org or 217-328-3663.

Maximum monthly income per eligible household: