South West Illinois News

In a Feb. 16 Facebook post, Rep. David Friess encouraged individuals to use the Find Food IL map to find food pantries and meal sites if needed, and others who could afford to donate to food pantries.

“The rising costs of fuel, groceries, utilities, and just about everything else has put a strain on family budgets statewide. 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,” said Friess.

Friess is a resident of Red Bud, Ill., 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, Georgia. 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 at Chicago's Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion. Funding comes through two United States Department of Agriculture grants: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.

Through the pandemic, the federal government increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, but that expansion will be ending in March, and food pantries and food banks are bracing for the impact, according to NPR Illinois. This makes it important for people to report changes in their income or rent, to obtain the best benefits package for their families.

In a memo dated Jan. 24, 2023, the Illinois Department of Human Services noted that the increased benefits will end March 1. Individuals receiving SNAP benefits should have received a client notice explaining the change, which happened with The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 amending Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by ending the issuance of Emergency Allotments after February 2023.