Free Healthy Food distribution goes lickety split

[June 26, 2019]    On Saturday, June 15th, at 10 a.m. it was pouring rain and cool. But that made no difference to those who came to the Healthy Food Distribution hosted by the Logan County Farm Bureau's Young Leaders group.

People came from all over Logan County to the Logan County Fairgrounds to get fresh foods for themselves, family or neighbors who needed it.

Early morning on Saturday a truck loaded with fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk and poultry arrived from the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield. The Young Leaders unloaded crates of products filling the Knights of Columbus Pavilion at the south end of the Logan County Fairground. The young men and women then also assisted in loading grocery carts and helped those who wanted assistance load their vehicles.

There was no qualifying requirement. This was open to anyone to take as much food as they needed.

Rachael Welker welcomed and oriented guests at the entry. She wielded a check-in sheet to collect addresses and record the number of mouths that would be fed, which numbered 80-plus well before the event was over. The collection of addresses was just for the purpose of having a contact should there be a recall on any product supplied that day.

A number of people were picking up for others who could not get out themselves. One man on hand said he was collecting for four families. He said that among the families “we’re the most mobile.” Therefore, he gathers up items for his neighbors on a regular basis.

Another fella was getting food for a neighborhood ministry that regularly offers food and snacks for the children they serve.

Some of the choices this day included large bags of multi-colored mini sweet peppers, carrots, potatoes and tangelos. There were also watermelons, ground turkey and salad dressing.

The Young Leaders applied to the Central Illinois Foodbank to host the healthy food give-away. The Springfield based foodbank serves 22 counties and accepts donations and monetary support.

Foodbank volunteer Marcus Lucas, who drove the truck in from Springfield on Saturday morning, stayed and assisted. He would deliver the leftovers to other food distribution centers such as local pantries later. Nothing goes to waste, he said.

The 22 year retired Illinois State Police Officer regularly helps serve food pantries and understands the need.

Young Leader Sam Opperman headed the healthy food give-away. His father, Logan County Farm Bureau President David Opperman was also on hand to assist on Saturday.

The Foodbank offers free food distribution from the back of their truck from time to time in various locations throughout the counties they serve.

To learn more about the foodbank and how to donate or receive visit https:// www.centralilfoodbank.org.

These foodbanks also make foods available to local food pantries, and often sell product for pennies per pound as well as offering some free products.

[Jan Youngquist/Nila Smith]