For families in Centralia, Illinois, finding a little help stocking the pantry is now a little easier. Recently, a community supported Little Free Food Pantry was installed right outside the Centralia Library in the southern Illinois community.
The small community pantry is stocked with pantry staples for anyone to take what they need. Community members looking to give back can also leave items for others. The Centralia Little Free Food Pantry is the first of a dozen pantries that will be placed in low-income neighborhoods in the surrounding counties.
SSM Health is proud to be part of this team in its effort to address food insecurity in our community,” remarked Julie Robertson-Brooks, SSM Health Community Health Specialist.
SSM Health partnered with other local organizations on finding funding and installing the Little Free Food pantries. This is one example of how the health system is addressing the social needs of the communities we serve.
The project is funded by the No Kid Hungry grant program. The United Way and University of Illinois Extension worked together in securing the funds. Once funding was provided, Greg Piercy, Mt. Vernon High School and Webber High School construction and FFA classes helped build the pantry boxes.
The program motto is Take What You Need, Leave What You Can." Local 4-H clubs will conduct food drives to help stock the little food pantries.
Food security impacts our health in significant ways, and it is a community health priority across all SSM Health regions. You can find more information about our community health priorities and the latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in your area on our Community Health page
