After a blockbuster first drive that delivered more than 3,000 pounds of food and $4,500 in cash, Galesburg’s radio stations are ready for round two of the Community Food Drive.
Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., WGIL, FM95, KFM, The Laser, and Z106.1 will join UPS and community volunteers outside both Hy-Vee stores and the Walmart Supercenter in Galesburg, plus the Hi-Lo grocery in Abingdon.
All non-perishable items and monetary donations collected in Galesburg go directly to the FISH of Galesburg Food Pantry. Donations at the Abingdon location benefit the Abingdon Community Food Pantry.
“The first drive was amazing,” said FISH Executive Director Katherine Seguino. “It let us increase the amount of food each family could take home and bring in items we simply hadn’t had in quantity before.”
The Nov. 8 collection equated to roughly one full month of distributions.
Demand continues to rise. FISH now serves more than 900 Knox County families—over 2,200 individuals—with numbers still climbing 20-30% in recent months, driven by economic pressures and uncertainty around federal SNAP benefits.
Monetary donations stretch the farthest: through the pantry’s partnership with Riverbend Food Bank, every $1 donated becomes about $5 worth of food—sometimes purchased for as little as 19 cents per pound.
Most-needed items right now:
- Stuffing and instant potato mixes
- Ready-to-eat, easy-open canned meals (especially for unhoused neighbors)
- Cereal
- Canned fruits and vegetables (standard sizes preferred)
Can’t make it Saturday? Drop-offs are welcome anytime at 876 W. Main St., Galesburg, or donations can be mailed.
“Come fill the brown trucks,” Seguino said. “We’ve all needed help at some point. When we’re in a position to pay it forward, this is the time.”
For more information, visit fishofgalesburg.org or call (309) 343-7807.
