DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The WSOY Food Drive eclipsed the $800,000 mark Friday to help fight food hunger issues across Macon County.
The food drive wrapped up its 22nd edition at the Airport Plaza Kroger in Decatur around 6 p.m.
The final total was $867,776 and bested last year's total by approximately $68,000.
Co-founder of the food drive and WSOY radio host Brian Byers announced the total at the end of a 12-hour radio marathon of raising money and collecting food.
The money and food collected throughout the day will help several food pantries and non-profits across Macon County, including the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Northeast Community Fund, and the Good Samaritan Inn, among many others.
The need at area pantries has grown in recent years due to increases in grocery costs and federal funding cuts.
Teacher Sarah Pritts of Montessori Academy for Peace won the classroom challenge. Her classroom raised 1,878 pounds of food. She was awarded a $1,000 prize.
A competition amongst area schools included a top prize of $5,000. Saint Teresa was victorious, followed by Mount Zion and St. Patrick.
WAND-TV is a proud partner of the event to help support the Decatur and Macon County community.
Watch the WAND News special below on the food drive.
