As the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) experiences a temporary funding shutdown, community members across Champaign County are stepping up to help families facing potential food insecurity. Food pantries and small businesses are mobilizing immediate support to make sure no one goes hungry while benefits are on hold.
Mom’s Pantry, located behind Mahomet-Seymour High School, has seen a steady increase in need over the last several months — a trend made worse by rising food costs. With SNAP benefits paused, the pantry is calling on the community for extra support.
Pantry organizers say donations can be dropped off Sundays between 1 and 7 p.m. at the brick building behind the high school. The program is fully donation-run and relies on local residents to keep shelves stocked with basic essentials.
Most-needed items include:
- Cereal
- Peanut butter (smooth and crunchy)
- Jelly
- Canned soups, pasta, and pasta sauces (red and Alfredo)
- Hamburger or tuna helper
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Tuna, canned chicken, and spam
- Toilet paper and personal hygiene products (toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash)
The pantry also welcomes refrigerated donations — including milk, eggs, butter, and cheese slices — as storage space is available. Organizers remind donors that, “if you and your family would eat or use it, families at Mom’s Pantry could use it too.”
Monetary donations can be mailed to:
Mom’s Pantry / MSHS
302 W. State St.
Mahomet, IL 61853
The Literary Offers Free Meals to SNAP Recipients in Champaign
In downtown Champaign, The Literary is launching an initiative to provide free weekday meals to SNAP recipients starting Tuesday. Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., individuals can show their SNAP card to receive a complimentary meal from the café’s “Oh SNAP!” menu.
To keep the effort going, The Literary has created a Community Gift Card, allowing anyone to contribute funds toward meals for local residents in need. Donations will be used to purchase meals for SNAP recipients; any remaining balance after benefits restart will go to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
The Literary is located at 122 N. Neil St., Champaign.
Community Networks and Mutual Aid Support
Local volunteer coalitions are also working to bridge the gap. CU Mutual Aid, along with networks in St. Joseph and Homer, are coordinating food distribution, transportation help, and mutual support for affected residents.
Those seeking or offering assistance can connect through the following community links:
- CU Mutual Aid request form: [link available through CU Mutual Aid network]
- St. Joseph “CU Feed the Need” group: Facebook community page
- Homer community group: Facebook food assistance coordination page
These networks are helping match local donors, drivers, and volunteers with those in need of essentials as the federal aid delay continues.
Emergency Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens
- Daily Bread Soup Kitchen: Hot lunch served daily, 116 N. 1st St., Champaign
- Faith UMC Food Pantry: Open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 1719 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign
- Church of the Brethren: Call for pickup, 1210 N. Neil St., Champaign
- St. Luke CME: Third Saturday of each month, 809 N 5th St., Champaign
- Wesley Pantry at Parkland College: Open select Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
- Windsor Road Christian Church: Thursdays and first Saturdays, serving all Champaign County
- UniPlace Christian Church Food Pantry: Every Wednesday afternoon, 403 S Wright St., Champaign
Food Banks and Countywide Support
- Eastern Illinois Foodbank: Provides countywide emergency food assistance and can help locate nearby pantries.
- Second Harvest Food Bank: Serves Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties and provides food distribution and pantry locations.
