Food assistance for people in CU loosing SNAP
Thousands of people in CU need help with food
SNAP benefits (food stamps/LINK) were discontinued on November 1 with the ongoing government shutdown. There are 28,000+ people in Champaign County alone who get this benefit. Additionally, more people are furloughed or laid off and need food assistance.
This is an immediate need as the government shutdown continues, but it may also persist through the end of the calendar year and beyond. This issue not only affects people across Illinois and our broader CU community, but also those within our own congregation.
Local resources are already unable to meet the needs of our food-insecure community. Pantries are seeing record-breaking usage month after month. The budgets of all food banks nationwide were slashed this summer after the enactment of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The need is only climbing, and we haven't yet seen what it will look like without SNAP.
Our congregation has an opportunity to act now to address this food justice issue on several fronts.
Assemble Meal Kits & More on November 23
On Sunday, November 23, we will hold a hands-on, multigenerational service event following worship in the Bluestem Room. There will be several opportunities to learn more about this issue and contribute. And ways to ask for help if you need it.
The event will focus on collecting food and assembling meal kits.
Our BIG GOAL is to create 100 meal kits!
These shelf-stable meal kits are made entirely from canned and boxed ingredients. They’re designed to be a complete meal that is affordable, easy to make, and accessible for anyone: families on a budget, seniors, or anyone who might not have regular access to fresh food.
Recipes feed four people and typically require minimal cooking, often involving just one pot, and some even require only a heat source and water.
We will make meal kits featuring four different recipes, and we need donations to make them. Ingredients can be purchased at Walmart, Aldi, Dollar Tree, or in bulk at Costco or Sam's Club.
Sign up to contribute items or make a donation to help us purchase what we need.
Donated items can be dropped off at the Faith Development office starting on Tuesday, November 18.
Meal kits will be used in the UUCUC Little Free Pantry, donated to CU Mutual Aid, and given to other local pantries with scheduled pick-up times.
We will share more information and resources about food insecurity in Champaign County at the event.
Questions? Contact Kelly at kskinner@uucuc.org.
