According to the Feeding America organization, at any given time some 25,000 people in Sangamon County aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. That means 12 percent of the county lives with “food insecurity.”
 

The all-volunteer Grace Lutheran Food Pantry, located in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Springfield, has been providing food to the hungry for nearly 50 years. The Pantry is a partner agency of the Central Illinois Food Bank.
 

In 2019 - the last full year pre-pandemic - the Pantry served more than 6,300 households and 13,000 individuals.  Nearly one-fourth of clients are senior citizens and more than one-third are children.  Anyone who needs food can come to the Pantry without referral and receive non-perishable foods, as well as meat, milk, bread, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables (in season) and toiletries.  We also customize bags for the homeless with foods that do not need cooking or can openers and personal items.

We have no paid staff, no overhead costs, no government funding and rely entirely on the time and talents of 60 volunteers and in-kind and cash donations from local churches, community organizations, schools and individuals.  In-kind donations of space, utilities and support services are provided by Grace Lutheran.

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In addition to Grace Lutheran, four other Springfield churches comprise the primary supporters of the Pantry with financial and food donations and volunteers , including St. John’s Lutheran (ELCA), Peace Lutheran (ELCA), Our Savior’s Lutheran (Missouri Synod), and First Presbyterian (which also has a micro pantry Grace helps stock and is available for clients to use 24/7/365).

Other major financial and in-kind supporters in recent years have included the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, King’s Daughters’ Organization, Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Domestic Hunger Project, Cachet Club of Springfield, Springfield South Rotary Club, CROP Walk fundraiser of Church World Service, Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Springfield Junior League, Franklin Middle School, Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Landmark Ford, UIS Student Services, Midwest Mission,        Trinity Lutheran Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Third Presbyterian Church,  First Presbyterian Church, and St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church.