As the holiday season approaches, food assistance organizations across Macon County continue working to meet the needs of residents struggling to afford groceries.
Local agencies report seeing increased demand for food assistance, including from first-time pantry visitors and senior citizens.
Catholic Charities reported a 30% increase in first-time clients using its food pantry, along with a 27% increase in seniors seeking assistance.
The Good Samaritan Inn has also seen an increase in demand. The organization reported serving more than 43,000 meals during 2026 as of October, with its average daily meal count increasing from about 250 to 300.
Northeast Community Fund reports providing food assistance to more than 3,500 individuals and households each month.
The need for assistance can extend beyond those living in poverty. Rising grocery costs and other household expenses can leave working families struggling to keep food on the table.
Several local organizations offer food assistance throughout the month, including Northeast Community Fund, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and church-based food pantries.
Residents looking for assistance can find local food pantry information through the City of Decatur’s community resources page.
For more information, visit DecaturIL.gov.
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