Takeaways from March's Keeping it Local

Before and After the Big Beautiful Bill: The State of Food Banks and Food Insecurity

At the March 25 Keeping It Local program, three panelists discussed the impact on local food programs of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which changed many food assistance requirements. Bailey Parks-Moore from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Charles Evans from Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and Dawn Longfellow from the Wesley Food Pantry all described the increase in food insecurity and demand for food assistance they have seen since the passage of the bill. They welcome volunteers to help meet the local needs. Opportunities can be found at:

• Eastern Illinois Foodbank
• Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
• Wesley Food Pantry