Illinois State Senate District 28 issued the following announcement on Aug. 18.
Local food pantries will be able to offer fresh, Illinois-grown sweet corn to families in need, thanks to a donation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and the Mercer County Farm Bureau.
Murphy hosted a giveaway Monday, where a truck bed full of sweet corn was distributed to local food pantries and other community organizations serving families in the 28th District.
“Especially during tough economic times, it can be challenging for families to afford the fresh, nutritious produce Illinois farmers offer,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful to the Mercer County Farm Bureau for making sure every member of our community can enjoy delicious, locally grown sweet corn.”
The annual event is hosted in partnership with Mercer County Farm Bureau. Murphy was “adopted” by Mercer County, a western Illinois county bordering the Mississippi River, in 2016 as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-a-Legislator program, which allows downstate and rural county farm bureaus to “adopt” Chicago and suburban lawmakers to educate urban legislators about agriculture and rural life.
“The goal of Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-a-Legislator program is to foster a better understanding of rural and urban communities within Illinois for both county farm bureau associations and urban legislators,” said Mercer County Farm Bureau President Michael Zecher. “As we learned through visiting her district, one issue we have in common involves providing support for individuals and families in need.”
The following organizations received donations:
Catholic Charities
Center of Concern
Schaumburg Township Food Pantry
Des Plaines Food Pantry
Maine Township Food Pantry
Schaumburg Barn
Elk Grove Township Food Pantry
Original source can be found here.
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