Tracy Cooper, Director of Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry in Mendota, Illinois, will be displaying her new sign and banner provided by University of Illinois Extension in two locations. In addition to Mendota, since September, Tracy has been distributing food two Thursdays a month from a mobile food pantry at City Hall in Earlville. She is pictured with Assistant Manager, Dan Carr. Tracy will be using the banners and signs at both locations to help clients locate them on distribution days.

Currently, the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry is serving 110 households per month at the two locations. Local food pantries are utilizing a drive thru/pick up model to minimize contact due to COVID-19 and the University of Illinois Extension Illinois Nutrition Education program of Marshall, Putnam, LaSalle and Bureau Counties is providing outdoor signs (through a special grant) with healthy messages to local food pantries as a new way to support partners during this difficult time.

If you are interested in learning more about how to partner with University of Illinois Extension for educational programming focusing on healthy nutrition & lifestyles including food budgeting and food safety, please call Jani Kidd, Program Coordinator, at 815-224-0889, or Sherry Todas, Program Coordinator, at 815-875-2878.

The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Visit our website at https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp

If you have questions or need more information, please call University of Illinois Extension- Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit Office at 815-224-0889. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please indicate when registering or contact the Extension office. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus.