Updated on Friday, Nov. 7 at 10:20 p.m. CT
Millions of Illinoisians may run into issues getting food as the ongoing federal government shutdown is putting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in jeopardy.
The Trump administration previously said funding for SNAP would lapse on Nov. 1 if the shutdown did not end before then. The administration said those who use EBT cards would not have money added to their accounts in November.
Several state governments, including Illinois, sued the administration, arguing there are emergency contingency funds to backfill SNAP funding.
The administration initially announced it would only provide food assistance payments at half the amount people usually receive after an order from a federal judge. A judge subsequently ordered the Trump administration to pay SNAP benefits in full by Friday.
Close to two million people in Illinois receive benefits from SNAP, including over 28,000 in Champaign County.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has said the state has limited options to close the gap. Pritzker signed an executive order to direct $20 million to food banks across the state.
Multiple organizations in East Central Illinois have compiled lists of food pantries, food banks and other locations where residents can go for hot meals or other food assistance needs. Below is a list of those resources.
Regional resources
Illinois Extension has launched a tool called Find Food IL Community Food Map displaying food pantries and other resources across the state.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank partners with agencies to distribute food and groceries across 21 counties. The organization also operates a Foodmobile program offering scheduled drive-thru food pantries in various communities.
Feeding Illinois partners with the state’s food bank network and also has a list of free food assistance programs and pantries.
Champaign County
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has a list of food pantries and places offering hot meals and sack lunches. The locations offering meals include:
- Daily Bread Soup Kitchen 116 N. First St, Champaign, IL, 217-607-1418
- Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church 208 W. University Ave, Champaign, IL, 217-352-9827
- Jubilee Café 805 S. 6th St, Champaign, IL, 217-344-5091
Coles County
- Carpenters Table Food Pantry, 375 N. 14th Street, Charleston, IL, 217-549-3378
DeWitt County
- Neighborhood Care Center, 309 W. Main St., Clinton, IL, Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30-3pm
Ford County
- Gibson Area Food Pantry, 106 N. Sangamon Ave., Gibson City, IL, 217-379-7860
Macon County
- Northeast Community Fund Food Pantry, 839 N. MLK Jr. Drive, Decatur, IL, 217-429-5846
Piatt County
- Piatt County Ecumenical Food Pantry, 2020 E. Washington, Monticello, IL, 217-762-2579
Vermilion County
- The Salvation Army Danville 855 E Fairchild St, Danville, IL 217-442-5911
- Hoopeston Multi-Agency 206 South First Avenue Hoopeston, IL, 217-283-5544
- Oakwood Area Food Pantry 202 Scott St, Oakwood, IL, 61858 217-597-0079
This is a developing story. This story does not contain an exhaustive list of resources in East Central Illinois.
Food pantries and locations offering warm meals operate at certain hours and may requirements to receive support. Check organization websites for details.