COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS: LOCAL SPONSORS MAKE IT HAPPEN

Decatur, IL — July 15, 2025 Behind every pound of food collected, every dollar donated, and every family helped by the WSOY Community Food Drive is an incredible network of sponsors whose support makes it all possible.

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, and the Decatur Park District—pillars of the effort that have helped grow the Food Drive into the largest fundraiser of its kind in Macon County.

“These sponsors aren’t just putting their names on a banner,” said co-founder Brian Byers. “They’re putting their values into action. They donate time, talent, resources, and heart—because they believe no one in our community should go hungry.”

In addition to the presenting partners, a wide network of dedicated businesses and organizations lend critical support, including: Buds and Blooms, Central Illinois Media Group, Colee’s Corner Drug, Dale’s Southlake Pharmacy, Decatur Back and Neck, Dynagraphics, First Mid Bank and Insurance Group, Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Hickory Point Bank, Investment Planners Inc., Jones and Thomas/JT Net, McDonald’s Decatur, McLeod Trucking, Skeff Distributing, Speed Lube, and WAND-TV.

These sponsors make it possible to provide the prizes given to the schools that raise the most food and monetary donations for the drive. Thanks to a generous donation from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, those prizes have been doubled for this year. First place $5000; second place $3000; third place $2000; fourth place $1500; fifth place $1000.

“The Food Drive wouldn’t exist at this scale without our sponsors,” said Lindsay Romano, event coordinator. “Every single partnership strengthens our ability to serve more families and keep our pantries full.”

In addition to the drive's presenting sponsors and community partners, there are "Placesetter Sponsors," setting the pace of giving with early significant donations to the drive to make sure everyone has a place at the table.

"“Our Placesetter Sponsors lead by example,” said Kevin Breheny, co-founder of the WSOY Community Food Drive. “Their early, significant donations help set the pace for the entire drive—and give our food pantries a strong start at a time when the need is growing and resources are stretched thinner than ever.”

Placesetters, as of today, include generous contributions from Bob and Kathy Wiesmann, The Andreas Foundation, The Ballance Foundation, Benjamin F. Edwards, and Black & Company.

To learn how to become a placesetter sponsor or how to give, visit www.WSOYFoodDrive.com.