Image
Other Community Groups
Other Community Groups
Title
Meeting families where they work, live, play, and more
Body
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs works with organizations in communities like nonprofits, parks and recreation centers, faith-based groups, libraries, public health, public housing, and others. Contact us to learn more about community nutrition education and other programming opportunities related to promoting healthier options at your site.
Zion Community Hub brings education, produce to families
In 2023, Rosalind Franklin University and City of Hope began community outreach at the Zion Benton Library. At the same time, SNAP-Ed was already working with the community to assess their needs. SNAP-Ed brought the two groups together. As a team, the group hosted meets to learn more about the community’s needs. As a result of the meetings, the Community Hub was started in October 2023.
The Community Hub takes place once a month at the library. As the event grew, more groups joined. The library provides space inside, and a mobile clinic uses the parking lot. The group tried a few formats until they found what worked best. Early on, they found a partner who gives out a bag of fresh produce every month. As the event grew, the library took over leading the event.
The Zion Community Hub is in a community where 32 percent of people qualify for SNAP. From October 2023 through September 2024, the program reached 24,000 people. The local SNAP-Ed team hosted ten booths on topics, including limiting added sugars, produce, healthy eating, and more.
As of July 2025, the Community Hub is still thriving. There is a waitlist of community groups wanting to join. Due to the success, a library in nearby McHenry County wants to start a similar event.