Nutrition and Health
MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
Starting in late Spring of 2020, Food Pantry Network - HOI partnered with Midwest Food Bank and Peoria Area Food Bank to redirect food available through the USDA Farmers to Food Box program. SNAP-Ed staff worked with local partners to identify communities with a gap in available food and coordinate distribution. In addition to Farmers to Food Box, families were given extra items such as milk, food from the food bank, and produce and food staples purchased by HEAL-FSP. In 2021 the following was distributed: • Total pounds of food distributed: 93,444 • Total boxes, backpack meals distributed: 4,059 FOOD PANTRY NETWORK VOLUNTEERS The Food Pantry Network - HOI regularly receives requests for onetime emergent food deliveries for people who cannot make it to the food pantry. Along with Tazewell County Health Department, SNAP-Ed staff worked with the local Heart of Illinois United Way to utilize their Volunteer Platform to help address this need. Volunteers from organizations such as Bradley University, Methodist College of Nursing, and Caterpillar have been able to help fill needs with deliveries as well as at the food pantries. Over the past year we have matched 23 people to volunteer opportunities at Pekin Outreach Center, Love In Action (Chillicothe), Neighborhood House (Peoria), St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Peoria), and Heart of Illinois Harvest. HEALTHY FOOD INVENTORY SURVEY Finding healthy options when shopping on a budget can be challenging. A local coalition, Healthy Eating Active Living– Food System Partners wanted to better understand the needs of food pantry guests. A survey of pantry guests and volunteers garnered insights on their cultural and nutritional needs and food preferences. Both groups expressed the need for lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. The survey also helped provide a better understanding of resources local food banks and pantries can offer. In turn, the coalition provided training and infrastructure to support pantries and their ability to offer healthier food options. • Surveyed 586 pantry guests, managers, and volunteers • Trained 100 pantry managers and volunteers
Photo taken in2019
12 DAYS OF GIVING CAMPAIGN This year marks the second 12 Days of Giving campaign. The goal is to encourage donations of items requested the most by pantries: healthy, shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and winter attire. It also educates the general public on the importance of healthy food donations. “Food pantries tend to get a lot of the same types of donations that are not always the healthiest options,” mentioned Rebecca Crumrine, SNAP-Ed program coordinator. “We know how beneficial things like spices, household supplies, low-sodium soups, and unsweetened applesauce are to families. We would like to help donors think about healthier options when purchasing food pantry donation items.” 4 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW FULTON, MASON, PEORIA, TAZEWELL
