Spoon River College is joining community colleges across Illinois for the third annual Feed the Need Campus Food Drive, running October 19 through November 30. The statewide initiative aims to address food insecurity by collecting non-perishable food items for local food pantries and campus-based food banks.
Organized by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Feed the Need brings together all 39 Illinois community college districts in a friendly competition to support students and families facing food insecurity. Last year, Illinois community colleges collected more than 180,000 food items, more than doubling the 91,000 items collected during the inaugural 2024 drive.
At Spoon River College, donations will benefit local food pantries and SRC Student Needs pantries in the communities where they are collected, helping students and families access food during the holiday season and beyond.
“At Spoon River College, we know that students can’t focus on their education if their basic needs aren’t met. Participating in the Feed the Need Food Drive is one way we can help remove those barriers,” said Missy Wilkinson, dean of student services at Spoon River College. “It’s also a great reminder of what’s possible when our college and community come together to support one another. Every contribution matters and helps make a real difference for our students.”
Donation boxes will be located in the lower level of Centers in the cafeteria and at the Havana, Macomb, and Rushville campuses. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items throughout the drive.
“Over the past two years, Feed the Need has grown into a tremendous statewide effort, demonstrating what Illinois Community Colleges can accomplish when we come together around a shared purpose,” said Brian Durham, ICCB executive director. “Food insecurity continues to be a real challenge for many students and families, and we encourage every college to get involved and help us build on the momentum we have created.”
With studies indicating that as many as 40% of community college students nationwide experience food insecurity, initiatives like Feed the Need play an important role in supporting student well-being. Through this statewide effort, Illinois community colleges are working together to help meet basic needs and strengthen the communities they serve.
About the Feed the Need Food Drive
Launched in 2024, the Feed the Need Food Drive is a statewide initiative led by the Illinois Community College Board to address food insecurity on campuses across Illinois. The friendly competition engages all 39 community college districts in collecting food donations to benefit local food pantries and student support services.