Last Saturday, the Eastern Illinois Foodbank launched their annual Food for Families drive.

Executive Director Jim Hires says this is the twentieth year for this program.

“Each year we go out in the community and try to accumulate non-perishable food items. This year the goal is 185,000 pounds of food. And we also do a fund drive and this year our goal is to collect $60,000 in funds.”

Hires says the foodbank works with other organizations to get the food to those who need it most.

“We serve 105 agencies and programs throughout East Central Illinois. Those include food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and a myriad of after school snack programs for children.”

The foodbank is working with 34 schools and several grocery stores and local businesses. If you would like to donate you can call the Eastern Illinois Foodbank for locations. You can also drop non-perishable food items off at the Illini Media Building on Green Street anytime through November 11.