(WAND) — A new grant program helping volunteer groups fight hunger is now accepting applications.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced the Charitable Trust Hunger Relief grant program to help volunteer groups battling hunger and food insecurity after federal government cuts to food programs.
The grants will provide up to $5,000 to volunteer-driven food pantries, soup kitchens and similar nonprofit organizations with no full-time employees.
The state treasurer's office said program was launched after the Trump administration cut funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and a program that allowed Illinois farmers to sell their fresh food to Meals on Wheels and food pantries.
"Hunger and food insecurity is a hidden epidemic afflicting children who cannot ask for help and adults who find it difficult to ask for help as they juggle two or more jobs," Frerichs said. "Small, local food pantries and soup kitchens are prepared to help these innocent lives because they see those suffering in the shadows. That is why we created this desperately needed hunger relief program, as these organizations try to help people get food as affordability remains a major concern."
According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 people in Illinois face hunger, 1 in 6 children in Illinois face hunger, and 38% of Illinois households receiving SNAP benefits have children.
The Charitable Trust Hunger Relief grant program is open to smaller, volunteer-driven organizations that did not previously qualify for the Illinois treasurer's Charitable Trust program due to a lack of full-time employees.
Organizations can apply for the grant through July 31. More information and applications can be found here.
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