MILAN, Ill. – The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving. But in 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. With the federal government shutdown now entering its fifth week, SNAP benefits for nearly 1.9 million Illinois residents are set to end on November 1. Food pantries across the state are bracing for a surge in demand as families lose access to critical nutrition support.
Why donations matter now more than ever
River Bend Food Bank and local pantries report that demand has already spiked, and the loss of SNAP will push even more families to seek emergency food assistance. Many are turning to pantries for the first time, including working families, seniors, furloughed federal employees, and veterans.
How to find a pantry near you
Visit the Find Food Illinois Community Resource Map http://go.illinois.edu/FindFoodIL to locate food pantries and confirm donation hours and protocols.
What to donate
Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed educator Tayler Louscher recommends shelf-stable, nutritious items that reflect what you’d serve your own family. Avoid expired or perishable foods. Focus on:
- Most needed items: canned fruit, canned meats, tuna, peanut butter, soups, stews, chili
- Holiday staples: cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin, stuffing, boxed potatoes, dry macaroni, low-sodium broths, gravy mix, dried herbs, and spices
- Pantry essentials: oatmeal, cooking oil, canned nuts, granola bars, peanut butter, low-sugar cereals, canned meats (chicken, tuna, pork), sugar-free fruit cups, no-sugar applesauce
- Healthier options: items low in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars
Consider a fund drive
Fund drives remain a powerful alternative. Monetary donations allow food banks and pantries to:
- Purchase nutritious foods tailored to local needs
- Stretch dollars further through bulk buying and discounts. Every $1 donated to River Bend Food Bank helps provide 5 meals.
- Supports local farmers and retailers, boosting the economy and reducing food waste
For more information on how you can help, visit the River Bend Food Bank’s website https://riverbendfoodbank.org/
Take action today!
Whether you donate food, funds, or time, your support is vital. With SNAP benefits paused, your generosity can help ensure no family goes hungry this season.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.