Food assistance for people in CU loosing SNAP
Thousands of people in CU need help with food
SNAP benefits (food stamps/LINK) will be discontinued on November 1 if the government shutdown is not resolved. There are 34,000+ 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 greater CU community, but also people right in 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 9
On Sunday, November 9, 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.
Donated items can be dropped off at the Faith Development office starting on November 4.
Cheesy Taco Soup (25 meals)
- 25 cans No Bean Chili
- 25 cans Pinto Beans
- 25 cans Black Beans
- 25 can Corn
- 25 cans Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
- 25 packets Taco Seasoning
- 25 packets Velveeta Cheese Sauce (sold in 3-packs at Walmart)
- 25 one-gallon zipper plastic bags
White Chicken Chili (25 meals)
- 50 cans Great Northern Beans
- 25 cans Corn
- 25 cans Green Enchilada Sauce
- 25 cans Salsa Verde or Green Chilis
- 25 cans Cream of Chicken
- 25 large cans Chunk Chicken
- 25 Bouillon Cubes
- 25 one-gallon zipper plastic bags
Thanksgiving Casserole (25 meals)
- 50 cans of Turkey
- 25 boxes of Stuffing Mix
- 25 cans of Green Beans
- 25 packets of Turkey Gravy (2 cups prepared size)
- 50 packets of Flavored Instant Mashed Potatoes (only need water to prepare)
- 25 bags Dried Cranberries
- 25 foil casserole pans
Minestrone Soup (25 meals)
- 25 8-oz packages of Elbow Macaroni
- 25 cans/jars Pasta Sauce
- 25 cans Red Kidney Beans
- 25 cans Sliced Carrots
- 25 cans Green Beans
- 25 cans Diced Tomatoes
- 50 cubes of Bouillon
- 25 one-gallon zipper plastic bags
