Volunteers sort food at a food bank in Chicago. | Greater Chicago Food Depository/Facebook
Volunteers sort food at a food bank in Chicago. | Greater Chicago Food Depository/Facebook
Illinois state Rep. David Friess is encouraging people who are struggling to feed their families to use the Find Food IL map to locate food pantries and meal sites.
"The rising costs of fuel, groceries, utilities and just about everything else has put a strain on family budgets statewide," Friess wrote in a Feb. 16 Facebook post. "Those struggling to afford food can use the Find Food IL map to find food pantries and meal sites across Illinois. If you are able, please consider donating to local food pantries to help families in need this winter and beyond."
Friess is a resident of Red Bud, Illinois, and has lived in Illinois for most of his life. He was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, and later for Delta Airlines in Atlanta. Today, he represents the people of the 115th District.
Find Food IL is a directory that visitors can consult to find a variety of resources, like senior food resources, school and summer meal sites, food pantry and meal sites, grocery stores, farmers markets, and more.
It is a joint effort of the University of Illinois Extension and the University of Illinois Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion. Funding comes through two Department of Agriculture grants: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.
The federal government increased SNAP benefits through the pandemic. However, the extension will end in March, and food pantries and food banks are preparing for the impact, according to NPR Illinois. Individuals are encouraged to report changes in their income or rent to ensure they get the “greatest benefit possible.”
In a Jan. 24 memo, the Illinois Department of Human Services stated that the increased benefits will end March 1. Those who have SNAP benefits should have received a client notice explaining the change, which happened with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which amended Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by ending the issuance of emergency allotments after February 2023.
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