John Wood Community College takes home top spot in inaugural Feed The Need food drive

QUINCY — Illinois community colleges helped address food insecurity on campuses across the state with the inaugural Feed the Need food drive, an initiative aimed at combating food insecurity on college campuses and supporting students in need. The food drive collected more than 91,000 non-perishable food items for local campus and community food banks.

John Wood Community College took home the top spot by collecting the most non-perishable items and will receive a commemorative plaque.

“Participating in the Feed the Need Food Drive was about more than collecting food. It was about showing our students that their struggles are not invisible,” Rachel Hansen, JWCC Dean of Student Affairs, said in a press release. “This initiative reinforces our commitment to creating a campus environment where all students feel supported and valued.”

This year’s Feed the Need Food Drive was part of a systemwide effort involving Illinois community colleges working together to support those facing hunger. Through a friendly competition, participating colleges rallied their students, faculty and community partners to donate food for those struggling with food insecurity, both on campus and in the local communities.

 The non-perishable food items collected during the drive will directly benefit many on-campus or community food pantries.