CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illini Media Group is celebrating April Foods Day this year by teaming up with 217 Inc. and Smith Burger Company to raise funds for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. Throughout the month of April, listeners are encouraged to make donations to support the fight against food insecurity in our community.
On Tuesday, April 1st, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., members of our on-air staff will be at Epic Burger, located at 1305 South Neil in Champaign, where you can drop off your donations and help those in need.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank serves 18 counties across eastern Illinois, providing food to over 1.6 million people through a network of pantries and programs. In the past year alone, the food bank distributed more than 11.1 million meals, including 3.4 million pounds of fresh produce, to agencies helping neighbors struggling with hunger.
A single donation can make a significant difference. Every $1 donated helps provide three meals to a neighbor in need. The food bank’s outreach is especially vital as child food insecurity in the region has increased by nearly 40% since 2019. One in six children in our area currently faces hunger, and more than 134,000 people across eastern Illinois struggle with food insecurity.
Throughout April Foods Day, Illini Media Group is asking the community to step up and contribute to making a lasting impact. With the help of local organizations like Feeding Our Kids and Food 4 Kids, EIF distributed more than 87,000 backpacks of food to schoolchildren last year, ensuring kids don’t go hungry over weekends.
In addition to donating, Illini Media Group thanks the Hourly Sponsors for their support of this important cause: 217 Inc Complete Home Services, Smith Burger Co., Tatman’s Towing, PDR Automotive (LR), Dogtown Heating Cooling Plumbing, Steve Tarrant-State Farm Agent, Savior Roofing, Rick Ridings in Monticello, Dr. G’s Brainwork’s, Stefanie Pratt Team Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, Speed Lube, High Caliber, The Hive Honey Beetique, Curtis Road Animal Hospital,
Their generous contributions will go directly to helping those who need it most.
