SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – When trucks from Central Illinois Foodbank arrived at local food pantries and meal programs throughout February, they didn’t just bring food – they brought hope. A purchase of fresh pork, sourced from a local Springfield butcher, filled shelves and kitchens across the city, offering much-needed protein to neighbors who need it most.

The Foodbank worked in partnership with Feeding Illinois and Turasky Meats –  a longtime partner – to secure ground pork for the community. This partnership allows the Foodbank to not only provide nutritious food but also support local businesses.

One of the many organizations to receive the pork was Helping Hands of Springfield, which provides meals to unhoused individuals. Blaine Tavender, the kitchen manager, shared how valuable the delivery was for their operations.

“It impacts us a great deal. It’s going to go a long way,” Tavender said. “Our cooler, it’s pretty bare, we’ve got some stuff, but feeding 120 to 130 people three times a day, it goes pretty fast. We gratefully appreciate it (the pork), that’s for sure.”

With this latest effort, Central Illinois Foodbank continues to fulfill its mission of providing high-quality food to its neighbors while strengthening local partnerships.