Rural Health, Inc. launching summer food drives across Southern Illinois

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) — Rural Health, Inc. is hosting a series of food drives in May to help local food pantries prepare for increased summer demand.

The organization said many families lose access to school meal programs during the summer months, leading to significant increases in demand at regional food pantries.

Rural Health, Inc. said food pantries in Southern Illinois can experience demand increases between 700% and 850% during the summer while donations often decline.

Food drives are planned in Johnson, Massac and Union counties, with all donated food and monetary contributions going directly to local food pantries the same day they are collected.

Scheduled collection events include:

• May 14 at Goreville Food Market in Goreville benefiting Arrowleaf Food Pantry in Vienna.
• May 22 at Big John’s Superstore in Metropolis benefiting COPE Food Pantry.
• May 28 at Kroger in Anna benefiting Shawnee Development Food Pantry.

Rural Health, Inc. encouraged donations of kid-friendly, non-perishable food items such as macaroni and cheese, canned meals, peanut butter, ramen noodles, cereal, crackers, fruit cups and juice boxes.

According to the organization, more than 45,000 people in Southern Illinois face hunger, including more than 12,000 children.

Officials said the effort is designed to help ensure children continue receiving nutritious meals while school is out for the summer.