The Champaign County Ministerial Association on Wednesday awarded over $4,000 to local food pantries during a ceremony held at Caring Kitchen, 300 Miami St., Urbana.
Juanita Brooks, treasurer of the local ministerial association, said approximately 12 churches in the county recently came together to raise monetary donations for the “three main food pantries in Champaign County.”
Through the fundraising efforts, the ministerial association raised a total of $4,350, which was divided equally ($1,451 each) among the Caring Kitchen, The WhereHouse and Stepping Stones Outreach Ministries.
Caring Kitchen Executive Director Marilyn Cohn said the food pantry at 300 Miami St. is open from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
The food pantry at Stepping Stones Outreach Ministries, located inside Life Net Christian Fellowship at 142 Dellinger Road in Urbana, is open 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday except for the third full week of the month, said Pastor Chris Livingston. The pantry is also open by appointment in the evenings for those unable to make it during the day.
The WhereHouse, a ministry of the Urbana United Methodist Church, is located at 110 W. Church St., Urbana. Director Ted Herndon said the food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to noon the first full week (Monday through Friday) following the third Sunday of the month. To help accommodate those who work during the day, the food pantry is open the Tuesday following the third Sunday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Brooks said she is hopeful more churches will take part in the Champaign County Ministerial Association’s food pantry fundraiser next year.
Brooks added that all area food pantries are in need of personal hygiene supplies.
