With Thanksgiving on the way … and grocery prices continuously rising and the need increasing for assistance to address food insecurity … several area organizations stand ready to help those in need put food on the table not only for Thanksgiving, but on a weekly – or monthly – basis to help alleviate food insecurity in McDonough County.
According to Maple Avenue Christian Church (MACC) Discipleship Minister Christina Farwell, MACC has been distributing Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets for 16+ years.
“We know the importance of gathering with family and friends to fellowship, and this ministry seeks to promote that while also helping relieve the financial stress of a large holiday meal,” Farwell shared. “This event also gives us personal contact with members of the community as we take their orders over the phone and then hand deliver items on distribution day (through a pick-up line at the church or delivered to the home). We even pray with those receiving dinners if that’s something they’d like.”
In 2024, MACC gave out 348 dinners, she added. The MACC congregation shops for the food items and donates money to buy the frozen turkeys. Members also volunteer their time and service on distribution day. Community members interested in helping can donate money for turkeys. Donations can be dropped at the church office or made online at mapleavenue. org through the “Giving” tab (select Thanksgiving Baskets as the fund).
“It’s a joyous time of serving our community side-byside,” Farwell said.
For those who reserved a meal, orrders must be picked up from the church between 1-3 p.m. p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23, or delivery can be requested when making reservations for those who live within the Macomb city limits. Deliveries will be made between 2-4 p.m., Nov. 23.
Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ and First Christian Church in Macomb will host a free Thanksgiving-style meal beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 at the First Christian Church fellowship hall (120 N. McArthur St., Macomb). Registration is not required.
For the 40th year, the Macomb Eagles Club will offer a free Thanksgiving dinner, open to the public, from noon-2 p.m. on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27). The menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn or beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and a beverage (coffee, tea, water or soda). According to Gwen Hillyer, meals are available for dine-in, carry-out or deliver within Macomb city limits. To order carry-out or delivery, call the Macomb Eagles Club from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at (309) 833-5111. Reservations are not required to dine-in.
“We generally serve about 400 meals, and we’ll start taking orders for carry-out and delivery one week in advance,” Hillyer said.
Donations of pre-cooked pumpkin pies, cranberry sauce and green beans are welcome, Hillyer added. Donated items can be brought to the club any time after 4:30 p.m. To volunteer on Thanksgiving, visit the club on Deere Road to sign up.
West Prairie South Elementary is providing its school families a free Thanksgiving dinner, delivered right to their door Friday, Nov. 28. According to an announcement from the school, this effort supplements the current backpack program, which is coordinated by the local nonprofit The Gathering Place, for the five-day Thanksgiving break. Volunteers and donations are welcome. If enough funds are raised, the program will be extended to families of junior high and high school students.
To donate, contact the Colchester Fire Protection District. West Prairie South families interested in receiving a meal must register by Monday, Nov. 24. For more information, contact Katie Ruebush at (309) 221-9888.
Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ in Macomb will also host its third annual free community dinner from noon-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at the church (1500 E. Pierce St., Macomb). The event includes a family-style hot meal, along with children’s activities and games.
While the Good Food Pantry (GFP), a division of the Western Illinois Regional Council in Macomb, does not provide holiday-specific boxes/baskets, its customers can shop once a month (along with some special “surplus days,” to pick up food items for their every day, and holiday, table. The Good Food Pantry provides an individualized shopping experience at its 133 W. Jackson St. store for those living in McDonough County who meet financial guidelines and show proof of residency. The pantry is open from 1-5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 133 W. Jackson St. The pantry is funded through grants and donations of money, as well as donations of food items. In October alone, the pantry has served well over 1,000 customers.
Individuals and organizations can also donate food items, including holiday meal-related food, at any time to the food pantry, as well as monetary donations, GFP Director Kelly Shiraki said. To donate to, or volunteer at, Good Food Pantry, contact Shiraki at (309) 255-4710 or email [email protected].
The Macomb Salvation Army also provides monthly food boxes, as well as a free food line every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. their 505 N. Randolph St. location. According to Salvation Army Capt. Ron Felt, the Macomb church is doing all that it can to keep up with the demands already being placed on the organization’s pantry.
