Springfield poverty: Local food pantries are hit hard

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — It’s an issue several central Illinois communities are dealing with - poverty.

We used data from the United States Census Bureau to compare poverty rates between eight central Illinois cities, including Springfield.

While some areas are better off than others, many agree it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.

• Chatham has the least living in poverty with only 4.1%
• Lincoln has 12.4% living in poverty
• Taylorville has 13.6%
• Jacksonville has 18%
• Springfield sits in the middle at 20.3 %
• Decatur has 22%
• Champaign has 26.9%
• Danville has 302% living in poverty.

Local pantries and shelters said they're being hit harder more recently each day.

“Some of them are from low-income people who ran out of LINK and some of them are homeless people living on the street and didn't get to the bread line,” President of Helping the Homeless in Springfield Julie Becker said.

Becker said on average she gets up to five phone calls a day of someone needing her pantry’s help. She also gets help from the local community like hospitals.

“(They’re) Giving me donated food, offering me blankets because they have an over-abundant supply,” Becker said.

Officials from the Salvation Army on Clear Lake Avenue has also seen their pantry been hit harder.

"The most alarming aspect is that visits were abnormally heavy at the beginning of the month, a time when relief typically comes from LINK benefits. A slow day for the pantry has been above 25 families. A heavy day sees upwards of 50 families, the majority of which are at three or more people," said Captain Jeff Eddy.

So what can you do to help?

“Don't turn a blind eye to somebody,” Becker said. “Not everyone needs a lot of help.”

Officials from the Salvation Army said they’re currently working on opening up another food pantry here locally.