Eastern Illinois Foodbank

The Annual Fund of Eastern Illinois Foodbank is made up of current gifts that are vital to efforts to alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois. Dollars which go annually to support the operating budget of the warehouse operations must be replenished each and every year with current gifting. Current gifts are often referred to as "outright gifts" and represent one of the most common ways that donors begin their giving support to the Foodbank.

For 2004-05, the Foodbank seeks Annual Fund support - private gifts, corporate/agency support and community gift support -- of $200,000, or a 20% increase over 2003-04.

All Annual Fund dollars - without exception -- go into providing food for the hungry.

There are several ways in which you can make a current gift - payable to Eastern Illinois Foodbank:

You can make a donation to a particular portion of the annual budget - e.g. transportation, warehouse operations, food procurement.
You can make a donation to go toward a particular type of food - e.g., canned fruits, cereals, juices, poultry - as desired.
You can contribute by check, bank draft, credit card or other fund.
You can make a recurring pledge and contribute monthly, bimonthly or quarterly.
You can make a gift via our Virtual Food Drive.

And in most cases, the net cost to you will be lower than the dollar value of the gift due to the charitable deduction received.

Please know that privacy and respect are important to us. If you have concerns about sharing sensitive information, note our Core Principles of Stewardship - or contact us.

We will be pleased and proud to answer any questions, give you a Warehouse Operations tour, share any financial records, introduce you to agency representatives, have you meet with people who benefit from the Foodbank food supplies - in any way respond to your information preferences.

And do remember - every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides $10 in actual food products provided to feed the hungry. It would be hard to find another "investment" that has a ten-fold return!

Businesses, large and small, local or national, can be a significant part of helping Eastern Illinois Foodbank alleviate hunger. Whether the contribution is monetary, goods or services, or public awareness, the impact that business can have on serving the hungry is tremendous.

Companies find that the effort and commitment to have a campaign within a company greatly improves employee satisfaction, has a wonderful organizational development impact and sends a favorable message to clients and customers.

Your company can sign up to receive our annual appeals, provide a monthly or periodic pledge, or conduct a gift drive or charity outing for employees.
Your company can organize and conduct a Food Gift Drive, generating groceries as well as dollar contributions.
Your company can donate equipment, supplies or employee expertise toward helping the Foodbank serve more people and become even more productive.
Your company can periodically or regularly have employees volunteer at the Foodbank in a variety of meaningful and fun ways.

We'd be glad to arrange a visit for company representatives to see our Warehouse Operations, or we'd be pleased to come to your company and discuss possible ways to collaborate.