food banks

At the end of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s 2008 fiscal year, it was serving approximately 33,000 people. By the end of 2009, it was up to 43,000.

The food bank distributes food to 14 counties, including Champaign County. As more people have been using the services available, the places that provide those services need more resources to keep up.

CHAMPAIGN -- One Illinois economic sector reports record-breaking business this year, but it's not good news.

The state's system of food banks – which supply more than 2,000 food pantries across Illinois – has seen its clientele grow steadily with the recession, and August was the busiest month on record.

"Every month, we continue to see record-breaking numbers, not just here in Chicago but across the state," said Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and president of Feeding Illinois, the state association of food banks.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank in Urbana is no exception.