Hunger Collaborative

Convened in 2021 by Galesburg Community Foundation, the Hunger Collaborative is comprised of individuals and leaders from more than 30 local nonprofits both directly and indirectly involved in food assistance.

The Community Foundation brought these organizations together after observing how they had already begun collaborating in new ways in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw an opportunity to help keep that collaboration moving forward and to direct resources in a different way.

The focus of the Hunger Collaborative isn’t getting food on the table—though that is a critical piece of the puzzle. Together, they are working to develop strategies to reduce hunger by addressing its root causes in Knox and Warren Counties. Those strategies will become realities thanks to more than $1.4 million entrusted to the Community Foundation by Knox County through ARPA funding, along with $750,000 invested by the Community Foundation itself and more than $100,000 generously contributed by local residents.

Give to the Hunger Collaborative

In addition to direct, immediate need for food, the Hunger Collaborative has identified four priority root causes of hunger: access to and awareness of services, workforce and skills readiness, housing and homelessness, and transportation.

Grant Cycle

For each area, small groups are crafting proposals for multi-year grants. The Hunger Collaborative Grant Cycle is open and ongoing to give nonprofits the time and flexibility to develop solutions organically. The $1.4 million in Knox County funds must be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2026.

Hunger Collaborative Grant Application

Hunger Collaborative Grant Application

List of Approved Projects

Below is a description of the approved projects:

Awareness of Services

  • Adult Systems of Care: (Lead Grantee: Bridgeway)
    The Adult Systems of Care Coordinator is a direct contact for individuals in need of services.  The coordinator works with the local network of nonprofit (and governmental) service providers to support community members in both Knox and Warren Counties with accessible services so they can thrive. Contact the Adult Systems of Care Coordinator for more information.
  • Multilingual Service and Resource Wiki (Lead Grantee: Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency)
    The Service and Resource Wiki is an online database that allows those in need of services and organizations access to current information on resources available in our region. In 2023 the wiki will be available in English and Spanish, with an expansion to French in 2024. For more information contact WIRC-CAA at 309.837.2997.

Workforce and Skills Readiness

  • SkillsUSA (Lead Grantee: Galesburg Area Vocational Center)
    SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Students in the program develop career and technical skills through classroom curriculum, events and competitions. The program is operated and staffed by GAVC and is available to Knox and Warren County students.

Transportation

  • Free Fare for All (Lead grantee: Knox County Housing Authority)
    With City of Galesburg Public Transportation, the Knox County Housing Authority is providing free access to transit services for all residents of KCHA public housing. For more details on the program contact the Knox County Housing Authority office at 309.342.8129.

In The News

Advisory Committee

The advisory committee is a grantee led committee of five leaders from local nonprofits. They serve to facilitate conversations around the root causes of hunger and evaluate grants for Hunger Collaborative funding. Members of the advisory board include:

  • Roger Pavey: Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency
  • Blanche Shoup: Western Illinois Works
  • Nancy Mowen: Jamieson Community Center
  • Stacy Brown: Bridgeway, Inc.
  • Meghan Templeton: Salvation Army

Hunger Collaborative Member Organizations

These organizations have contributed to the conversations and are working toward solutions to combat food insecurity through the root causes of hunger in Knox and Warren Counties. If you would like to be a part of the Hunger Collaborative or receive our newsletter contact Jillian Isaacson at jisaacson@yourgcf.org or 309.344.8898.

  • Bridgeway, Inc.
  • Carl Sandburg College
  • City of Galesburg
  • Feed My Lambs
  • First Baptist Church
  • FISH of Galesburg
  • Galesburg CUSD #205
  • Galesburg Area Vocational Center
  • Galesburg Catholic Parishes
  • Galesburg Rescue Mission
  • Habitat for Humanity of Knox County
  • Jamieson Community Center
  • Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development
  • Knox County Health Department
  • Knox County Housing Authority
  • Knox County YMCA
  • Knoxville Food Pantry
  • Loving Bottoms Food Bank
  • OSF
  • River Bend Food Bank
  • Regional Office of Education #33
  • Salvation Army
  • St. Vincent de Paul
  • Thrive
  • United Way of Knox County
  • United Way of Greater Warren County
  • VNA
  • Warren County Health Department
  • Warren County YMCA
  • Western Illinois Family Planning
  • Western Illinois Works – WIOA
  • Williamsfield Food Pantry
  • Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency