The University of Illinois Extension and the Food Pantry Network – Heart of Illinois have compiled a list of local organizations offering meals and food boxes to families in Central Illinois. Below are locations where meals can be picked up across the 46th District, a full list or participating organizations can be found here.

Questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., as well as any additions to the list.

Thanksgiving Meals

Peoria County
⦁ South Side Mission: Peoria, Peoria Heights, & Bartonville call 309-676-4604 to sign up by Wednesday, November 17th
⦁ Valeska Hinton: Heartland Health hosting Thanksgiving Box distribution Nov. 20 noon to 2 p.m., free turkey vouchers will be given to the first 100 recipients
⦁ Redeemer Lutheran Food Pantry: Box of food given out Nov. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. & Nov. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.
⦁ Catholic Charities Fulton Sheen Food Pantry: Box of food given out every Tuesday and Thursday in November from 9:30-11:30 a.m. while supplies last
⦁ Neighborhood House: Partnering with OSF to distribute 100 boxes on Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon or until they run out
⦁ Sophia's Kitchen: Carry out meal on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., no sign up required
⦁ Dream Center: Box of food Nov. 23 throughout the day
⦁ Hand Up Peoria Inc.: Box of Food Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon
⦁ Salvation Army Peoria - NE Adams St.: Free community meal Nov. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m., enter through alley off of Spalding Ave.

Tazewell County
⦁ Pekin Township: Call by Monday Nov. 21 at 346-3194 to sign-up for hot meal pick-up on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
⦁ HOPE Chest - Pekin: Box of food Nov. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. while supplies last, ID Required

Fulton County
⦁ Salvation Army & HyVee: First 275 people who call 309-647-0732 and make a reservation, distribution from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 25

Holiday Meals

Peoria County
⦁ Salvation Army Peoria: Mail letter to Christmas Baskets, Journal Star, One News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643 - include your name, address with apartment number, phone number, total number of people in household
⦁ South Side Mission: Serving 61603, 61604, and 61605 Call 309-676-4604 to sign up
⦁ East Bluff Community Center: Christmas Day Meal Eat-in or carry out from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
⦁ Catholic Charities Fulton Sheen Food Pantry: Box of food including hams given out every Tuesday and Thursday in November from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. while supplies last
⦁ Neighborhood House: 125 boxes of food available on Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until they run out
⦁ First United Methodist Church, Loaves & Fish: Box of food & lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 25 or as supplies last - distribution will be outdoors, no public restrooms available
⦁ Sophia's Kitchen: Box of pantry food Dec. 20 to 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1,000 bags one per person - no deliveries/sign up - but ID will be required
⦁ Dream Center: Box of food Dec. 21 throughout the day
⦁ Hand Up Peoria Inc.: Box of food Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon

Tazewell County
⦁ HOPE Chest: Boxes will be available in December at a date TBD during pantry hours, ID required - available while supplies last
⦁ Salvation Army of Pekin 360 Life Center: Box of Food sign up November 22-24 call 309-346-3010 - Requires: ID, proof of address, & Tazewell County resident. Pick up Dec. 20 8 a.m. to noon
⦁ Pekin Township: Call 346-3195 by Dec. 20 to sign up hot meal pick up on December 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
⦁ St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry: Pekin, IL - sign up November 17 and 19 8:30 to 11 a.m. in circle drive of St Joseph Church. 120 baskets available - ID required

SPRINGFIELD – Low income families and senior citizens seeking help filing their 2019 income taxes are able to receive free help through several state programs, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Tuesday.

“As Tax Day draws near, it’s vital that we ensure those who are in need receive the necessary help in an affordable, timely manner,” Koehler said. “By partnering with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the IRS and AARP we’re providing a way to relieve a burden for those who may be in need of it most.”

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help for individuals making $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities, taxpayers who speak limited English and individuals 60 years of age or older.

Additionally, AARP’s Foundation Tax-Aide program focuses on helping low-to-moderate income individuals, with special attention to those over 50 years of age. An AARP membership is not required.

Illinois taxpayers can search for a free tax assistance provider closest to them by visiting the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website tax.illinois.gov.

200,000 pounds of unwanted electronics collected in first two years of event

PEKIN – State Senator Dave Koehler and Area Recycling are hosting an electronics recycling event Saturday morning in Pekin.

This is the third year for the popular event. In past years, roughly 500 to 600 cars have lined up to drop off unwanted household electronics, such as old computers and accessories, printers, cell phones, music players, video game consoles, small kitchen appliances and more.

The free collection is open to residents of Peoria, Fulton and Tazewell counties. See flyer accompanying this advisory for complete list of what can be accepted and what will not be accepted.

In the first two years combined, more than 200,000 pounds of unwanted electronics were collected and saved from area landfills. Organizers expect this year to be equally successful.

Koehler said he intends to continue hosting the e-cycling event as long as the need exists.

What: Third annual electronics recycling event, hosted by State Senator Dave Koehler and Area Recycling in Pekin
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 6
Where: Area Recycling, 14379 Illinois 29 South, Pekin

SPRINGFIELD — Amid growing uncertainty about the future of education funding in Illinois, a groups of Farmington students recently traveled to the Capitol to lend their voice to the effort to overhaul how the state funds public schools.

“We are Illinois’ future. You should give us all a fair chance,” said Michael Morrison, 14, who will be a freshman at Farmington High School in the fall.

Morrison was among the students, teachers and administrators who observed proceedings and met with their local lawmakers during the last scheduled day of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session. Lawmakers later adjourned without sending a final education budget to the governor.