The WSOY Community Food Drive is more than a one-day event. It's an investment in our neighbors. It's a way to make sure a parent doesn't have to choose between groceries and the electric bill. It's a way to make sure a senior doesn't have to choose between medication and food. And it's a way to make sure a child has enough to eat.

Last year’s competition was fierce, with St. Teresa High School once again taking home the top prize of $5000. Mt Zion High School was close behind in second place, followed by St Patrick School in 3rd, Our Lady of Lourdes in 4th, and Maroa Forsyth in 5th. Who will take the prizes this year?

The drive’s success depends on a powerful coalition of community-minded organizations. Leading the charge are our presenting sponsors WSOY, NowDecatur, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, ADM, Kroger, the Decatur Park District, and new this year, The Andreas Foundation—pillars of the effort that have helped grow the Food Drive into the largest fundraiser of its kind in Macon County.

As the WSOY Community Food Drive gears up for its annual day of giving on October 2nd, organizers have released answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from donors and participants.

Hunger isn’t just something that happens somewhere else—it’s affecting families right here in our own neighborhoods. The WSOY Community Food Drive gives churches and faith-based organizations a meaningful opportunity to put faith into action through service, generosity and compassion.

The WSOY Community Food Drive is inviting local businesses, organizations, and community groups to step up and help feed families in need across Macon County. The annual event will take place October 2nd, 2026, at Kroger in Airport Plaza, with all monetary donations benefiting local food pantries through the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois.

The event is scheduled for September 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. and will give participants the opportunity to create an original collage using cereal boxes and other food packaging, inspired by the work of American pop artist Michael Albert. Albert is known for his "Cerealism" artwork, vibrant, imaginative collages made from cereal boxes and other consumer packaging.

As food insecurity continues to rise across Macon County, local food pantries are seeing more families turn to them for help. While every donation makes a difference, certain non-perishable goods are especially needed to keep shelves stocked and meals balanced.

Our Phone Bank Volunteers will be stationed on-site upstairs at Kroger in Airport Plaza from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., taking pledges and payments from generous donors throughout the day. This is a great way to make a big impact without lifting heavy boxes and staying off your feet.

Millikin University is rallying its students, faculty, staff, student organizations, alumni and friends to support the 2026 WSOY Community Food Drive, with a goal of collecting the equivalent of 8,125 pounds of food and financial donations.

For ADM, that spirit of service is being put into action this fall through Acts for Impact, the company’s global volunteer campaign—and through a longstanding commitment to fighting hunger around the world and in the Decatur community.

Throughout August, customers can choose to “round up” their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout, with all proceeds going to the WSOY Community Food Drive

August 5, 2026 - The WSOY Community Food Drive has announced the annual event will be held on Friday, October 2nd, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Airport Plaza Kroger on Rt. 36 (1818 Airport Plaza, Decatur). The event is presented by WSOY, NowDecatur, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, ADM, Kroger, the Decatur Park District, The Andreas Foundation and our dedicated community partners—Buds and Blooms, Central Illinois Media Group, Colee’s Corner Drug, Dale’s Southlake Phar

In just 12 hours, our community came together in an extraordinary show of generosity, raising $867,776 in food and cash during the 2025WSOY Community Food Drive, held today at Kroger on Route 36.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FOOD DRIVE; Traffic Changes, giving Info, and more

As food insecurity continues to rise across Macon County, local food pantries are seeing more families turn to them for help. While every donation makes a difference, certain non-perishable goods are especially needed to keep shelves stocked and meals balanced.

The WSOY Community Food Drive is not just about collecting food—it’s about living out our shared values. When churches come together in service, the impact is multiplied: one Sunday, one offering, one can of food at a time, all adding up to thousands of meals for our neighbors

Millikin University has officially launched its campaign in support of the WSOY Community Food Drive, and the Big Blue is all in. With more than 25 committee members representing every corner of campus—and additional support from alumni, retirees, and the Board of Trustees—Millikin’s effort is one of the largest in the University's history.

Catholic Charities has been a proud partner of the WSOY Community Food Drive since its beginning. The food and funds raised each year have had a tremendous impact, allowing the pantry to serve some of the area’s most vulnerable populations.

One of the most impactful ways ADM supports the food drive is through its 1:1 employee match program. Every dollar donated by ADM colleagues is matched, doubling the impact of each gift.