MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY SETS AMBITIOUS GOAL FOR 2026 WSOY COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE

Decatur, IL The Big Blue is once again answering the call to help fight hunger in Macon County — and this year, Millikin University is setting an even bigger goal.

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.

The effort builds on a tremendous first year of campus-wide participation in 2025, when Millikin set a goal of 5,000 pounds and ultimately delivered nearly two tons of donations to the WSOY Community Food Drive. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and local supporters all played a role, with student-athletes helping unload and weigh the donations when they arrived at the drive.

Now, the Big Blue is ready to make an even bigger impact.

A Campus-Wide Effort

Millikin is encouraging the entire Big Blue community to get involved. Student organizations will play a major role in the campaign, creating opportunities for friendly competition, service and fundraising across campus.

But the effort doesn't stop at the campus boundaries. Millikin alumni, families, friends and community members are all invited to participate. Donations of non-perishable food and financial gifts will count toward Millikin's 8,125-pound goal. The University has also made it easier than ever for members of the community to participate by serving as an official WSOY Community Food Drive drop-off location.

Drop Off Your Donation at Millikin

Community members can bring non-perishable food donations to the Staley Lot, directly in front of the University Commons, on:

• Wednesday, September 2

• Wednesday, September 9

• Wednesday, September 16

• Wednesday, September 23

• Wednesday, September 30

Drop-off time: 7:30–10 a.m.

From the Big Blue to the Community

Millikin's commitment to the WSOY Community Food Drive is rooted in its role as a community partner. During last year's campaign, Millikin President Dr. Dean Pribbenow challenged the campus to embrace the food drive as an opportunity to serve the Decatur community. He emphasized that Millikin should be "of the community, not just in the community."

That commitment has only grown.

Food insecurity is also an issue that affects college students. Millikin opened the Millikin Market in 2025 to provide students experiencing food insecurity with free groceries, fresh produce and essential items in a welcoming, stigma-free environment. The WSOY Community Food Drive later awarded Millikin Market a $3,000 grant to help support its work.

That connection makes Millikin's participation in the community-wide food drive particularly meaningful.

Bring a Can, See the Big Blue

Millikin Athletics is also getting into the game — literally.

Fans attending Millikin's Fall Scrimmage against Eureka College on Saturday, August 22, at 1:15 p.m. are encouraged to bring a canned good to support the WSOY Community Food Drive.

And there's a little extra incentive for Big Blue fans: Bring a canned food donation to the scrimmage and receive free admission to Millikin's home opener against Luther College on Saturday, September 12, at 1 p.m.

It's a simple way to support the community while cheering on the Big Blue.

Bring a can. Help feed a neighbor. Then come back and cheer on Millikin.