Summer Food Program in Pleasant Hill named recipient of Governor’s Hometown Award

August 26, 2023 | By Muddy River News

The delegation from Pleasant Hill First Baptist Church poses with the Governor's Cup Award they received for their summer food program ministry. Back row from left, J.T. Smith, Terry Brannan, Kathy Hart and Don Hannel. Front row from left, Dianne Johnson, Jennifer Bienemann and Becky Brannan. | Photo courtesy of Illinois.gov

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The village of Pleasant Hill’s Summer Food Program recently was named the winner of the Governor’s Hometown Award, which was chosen by a panel of six judges who were given 45-minute presentations by each of the finalists.

For the next year, the Governor’s Cup will be displayed in the village of Pleasant Hill and will have their name engraved on it as the 2023 winner. The award was presented in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair.

The Summer Food Program was nominated for award by Kathy Hart in the project category of “Healthy Futures.”

The Summer Food Program is an all-volunteer and donation-funded program that has been operating since June 2018. It provides meals throughout the summer break to any child up to the age of 18. No financial guidelines or paperwork are required to be completed to get a hot meal and bonus sack lunch on Tuesday and Thursday each week.

More than 2,000 meals are served throughout the summer in a village of 963 people. Any child in the surrounding area can participate. Meals are served in to-go containers for easy pickup for families. The program is based at First Baptist Church. Becky Brannan is the program coordinator.

The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, in partnership with the governor’s office, sponsors the award recognizing people who contribute to projects that improve their community’s quality of life.

To learn more, visit http://fbcphill.org/summer-food-program.html.

The other finalists were from Joliet, Flossmoor and Plainfield.