More families are becoming food insecure, as the Midwest Food Bank in Normal reports its partner agencies have seen 25% more families seeking food assistance services as of late.
A recent $300,000 donation from the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints allowed the food bank to buy a new semi, which Midwest Food Bank CEO Eric Hodel said will help the organization meet the rising need.
“As we continue to grow and continue to go procure and rescue more food, having more trucks and more ability to bring that food into our locations is a huge blessing,” he said on WGLT’s Sound Ideas, adding that the semi is an example of “an additional fleet.”
In his speech Friday to unveil the truck to church members and the media, Hodel said the church has volunteers across the food bank’s 10 locations — three of which are in Illinois.
Latter-day Saints Elder Kirk Hodges said the donation aligns with the church’s mission to “collaborate and support people who are looking [after] those who are in need and to rescue and to help and to lift.”


With inflation, Hodel said it’s common for people to find themselves requiring extra help with necessities, such as groceries. He pointed out that families with fixed incomes may find it hard to juggle so many demands: utilities, gas, clothes and food.
“And it really starts to push them to a little bit of a line or a ledge where they don't have the ability to fund their whole household budget,” he said.
That’s where the food bank steps in to help, Hodel added.
Midwest Food Bank’s Normal location serves over 500 agencies.
Farm Bill
Another factor that could impact food insecurity nationwide is the 2018 Farm Bill, which expired in September. That bill covers food assistance measures and funding, including for SNAP, the federal low-income grocery assistance program.
Congress is considering a new bill, but there’s no guarantee it will pass.
Hodel said he’s hopeful the incoming administration will approve the bill, but at the same time, “operations of Midwest Food Bank aren't really hinging on the passing or the renewal of that farm bill.”
The food bank will continue in its mission of getting food to people’s tables regardless of what happens, Hodel added.