October 8, 2021 – The WSOY Community Food Drive has undergone many changes over its 20-year history, but none as big as the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis.
Due to COVID-19, organizers decided it was best to again only accept only monetary donations. The effort allows for fewer volunteers on site, less waste, less surface contact, and greater purchasing power thanks to a partnership with the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield. Last year alone, the WSOY Community Food Drive raised the equivalent of 3.2 Million pounds of food.
Co-founder and Organizer, Kevin Breheny said, “That first year, we raised an enormous amount of about 35,000 pounds of food. To think that it has grown in such a large amount such as this is astonishing.”
Breheny said the change to monetary donations only has been the largest shift in the event since 2009; the year the event streamlined operations with food collection by adding forklifts and pallets. A big change from its humble beginnings of filling a single box truck with 35,000 pounds of food in 2002.
The WSOY Community Food Drive has collected over 15.6 million pounds of food in the last 19 years.
“I feel blessed to be a part of this community and to be able to watch something like this event happen. It is amazing and I don’t think anybody could have dreamed of the drive being so successful.” Breheny continued, “This year looks like it is going to be just as successful thanks to this wonderful community.”
The effort this year is made easier thanks to a partnership with the Central Illinois Food Bank. Macon County Pantries can apply for a grant from the WSOY Community Food Drive. The funds granted can then be used to purchase food on an as-needed basis from the Central Illinois Food Bank for $.19 a pound. Meaning every dollar raised will equal 5.26 pounds of food.
But first and foremost, organizers say it’s important to keep everyone safe during the food drive. Some of those changes included:
- No food donations. Any donations of food are asked to be dropped off directly to the charities.
- Volunteers had to be pre-registered to participate
- Masks and social distancing is required
- Monetary donations are accepted through a drive-through, where masked and gloved volunteers can accept cash, check, or credit card.
To give to the WSOY Community Food drive, you can give online HERE, drive through the Kroger on Rt 36 from 6am to 6pm, or call 875-3350 to make your donation online. Donations are tax-deductible.
