Illinois community colleges will again compete to collect non-perishable food items for local pantries and campus food banks when the third annual Feed the Need Campus Food Drive launches October 19 and runs through November 30, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced.
The statewide initiative engages campuses in a friendly competition while serving a critical need. Last year, Illinois community colleges collectively donated more than 180,000 food items to support students and families across the state, the ICCB said. That total far exceeded the 91,000 items collected in the inaugural 2024 effort.
"Over the past two years, Feed the Need has grown into a tremendous statewide effort, demonstrating what Illinois Community Colleges can accomplish when we come together around a shared purpose," said Brian Durham, ICCB Executive Director. "Food insecurity continues to be a real challenge for many students and families, and we encourage every college to get involved and help us build on the momentum we have created."
"Feed the Need reflects the very best of our community college system: colleges supporting their students, responding to the needs of their communities and working together to make a greater impact. The growth of this effort over the past two years has been inspiring," said ICCB Chair Dr. Sylvia Jenkins.
A commemorative plaque is awarded to the college that collects the most items. Last year, Elgin Community College claimed the top spot, with strong participation from several other schools including John Wood Community College, College of DuPage, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and Shawnee Community College.
How to participate
Students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at designated drop-off locations on community college campuses statewide. All donations will directly support students and families facing hunger, the ICCB said.
The release said that, according to studies, as many as 40% of community college students nationally face food insecurity.
About the drive
Launched in 2024, the Feed the Need Food Drive is a systemwide effort led by the ICCB to address food insecurity on campuses across Illinois. The friendly competition engages all 39 community college districts in collecting food donations to benefit local food pantries and student support services.