Herrin House of Hope receives $20K grant to fight food insecurity in Southern Illinois

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

HERRIN, Ill. (KBSI) — Herrin House of Hope plans to use a $20,000 grant from the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to continue serving thousands of Southern Illinois families facing food insecurity as demand for its services remains high.

The nonprofit was one of 10 organizations across Illinois selected to receive funding through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program. Executive Director John Steve said the recognition is especially meaningful because he believes Herrin House of Hope was the only recipient from Southern Illinois.

“What an honor it is to be considered one out of 10 nonprofits throughout the state of Illinois,” Steve said. “It’s a huge blessing for our small organization here in Southern Illinois.”

Founded in 2013, Herrin House of Hope serves free lunches Monday through Friday while providing a welcoming environment designed to restore dignity to those in need.

Unlike a traditional soup kitchen, the organization operates as a restaurant-style community kitchen. Guests are greeted at the door by a hostess, seated at tables and given a choice between two entrees before volunteers serve their meals.

Steve said the model is intentional.

“We want to not only feed you physically, but spiritually as well,” he said. “We want to put a smile on your face before you even sit down at your table.”

Community volunteers serve as hosts, servers, bussers and kitchen staff, giving residents, churches, schools and businesses an opportunity to give back.

Steve said the restaurant-style operation also serves as a workforce development program. The nonprofit provides cross-training for volunteers interested in food service careers, including hands-on experience in restaurant operations and guidance from staff with food safety and sanitation certifications.

He said the goal is to help people who may have little or no food service experience gain practical skills that can lead to employment.

“We provide another pathway to employment and help people get back on their feet,” Steve said.

The organization’s need has continued to grow over the past several years.

Herrin House of Hope served 27,481 meals in 2023. That number jumped to 40,674 meals in 2024 before surpassing 41,000 meals in 2025. Steve said the nonprofit is on pace to serve more than 41,000 meals again this year.

He attributes much of that demand to rising living costs affecting seniors and families living on fixed incomes.

“We’re seeing a lot of seniors and families who are already on limited incomes,” Steve said. “With gas prices and food prices not going down, they’re finding themselves having to make sacrifices.”

Steve said the $20,000 grant will help relieve some of the financial burden of meeting that growing demand while allowing the organization to continue addressing food insecurity across the region.

He also emphasized that collaboration among nonprofits is key to serving Southern Illinois residents.

“When it’s all said and done, we’re about collaboration, we’re about unity and we’re about stepping up as much as we can to address basic needs,” Steve said. “We’re here to address those needs with dignity.”

Because the organization is entirely volunteer-led, Steve encouraged anyone interested in helping to get involved. Volunteers can sign up by calling Herrin House of Hope, emailing the organization or sending a message through its Facebook page. Steve said someone typically responds within 24 hours.

He also encouraged other nonprofits to apply for future funding opportunities through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office.

“Even if you don’t get it the first time, don’t give up,” Steve said. “Keep applying, keep serving your community and continue collaborating.”

To find more information: herrinhouseofhope.org