Announcing the next phase of the Good Food Collaborative Food Pantry in Macomb.

One year ago, the Western Illinois Regional Council and the Good Food Collaborative partnered to open a choice-based food pantry to residents of McDonough County. WIRC supported GFC's efforts providing space, utilities, the use of a large walk-in freezer and cooler, staff support, and some funding for food.

The partnership has been a successful one. As of February 2024, the pantry has over 1000 households in McDonough County registered to receive food, serving over 2,500 people. Last year, GFC provided over $300,000 worth of food to people in McDonough County thanks to community donations, grant support from WIRC, and the River Bend Food Bank. Since March 2023, GFC employees, volunteers, and Board members together built a new storefront pantry, created a dignified shopping experience for users, developed registration, inventory, and reporting systems, and created an operations manual for their choice-based services.

Recently, GFC approached WIRC leadership with a restructuring proposal: GFC proposed WIRC assume operational control and ownership of the food pantry. The WIRC Boards approved the proposal during a February 2024 meeting, and the transfer is expected to be effective in April 2024.

GFC wants to reassure the public that food pantry services will continue with little-to-no interruption during this transition. The location will continue at WIRC-CAA Offices, 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb. In April, pantry staff and volunteers will be under the supervision of WIRC-CAA management. To further ensure a seamless transition, GFC Board members will be available for consultation during the changeover.

“The pantry has become a much-needed community resource and will continue under the supervision of WIRC,” said Richard Chamberlain, GFC Board President. “GFC will be involved in the transition as WIRC moves forward and we feel this is a natural evolution for the pantry. We are confident that WIRC-CAA will continue our vision of a choice-based storefront pantry, and with their energy and resources, perhaps take it to another level. We feel we have given them the tools to ensure the pantry will continue to be a valued community resource.” Nancy Mowen, Board Chair of WIRC-CAA said, “We are pleased to have been a supporting partner with GFC and proud they have confidence in our ability to continue and build upon their dedicated work.”

Chamberlain continued to say the pantry has been funded mostly by the generosity of the people of McDonough County, combined with grants and awards from local foundations, organizations, businesses, and the ongoing support of the River Bend Food Bank. Going forward, WIRC does have some access to state funding, but the Agency will continue to need the financial and volunteer support of the community. Volunteers and donations are always needed and appreciated.

“This is a choice-based food pantry by and for people of McDonough County,” said WIRC Community Services and Public Relations Director Jamie Roth. “GFC started thanks to a group of concerned McDonough County residents during the pandemic, and it has grown tremendously since then. We are thankful for the trust that GFC has in WIRC to continue this project.”

Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. The Agency is one of over 1,000 community action agencies across the United States working to end poverty. WIRC offers a wide range of social service and community development grant programs to improve the quality of life in multiple western Illinois counties. To learn more, call WIRC at 309-837-2997, find them on social media, or visit https://wirpc.org/.

WIRC and GFC are equal opportunity employers and providers.