Local food pantries list expanded, resources updated for Morgan County

WAND published a county by county list of food banks and pantries on November 4, with an update on November 6, that included several resources serving Morgan County residents. The resource was presented as a regularly updated community tool to help people find emergency food, make referrals, and volunteer time or donations. For Morgan County the list named five local organizations with addresses, phone numbers and service details.

Jacksonville Area Community Food Center is listed at 316 E. State St., Jacksonville, with phone 217 243 1122. It was reported open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, and the center provided bakery and produce items daily while operating under provider guidelines and limits. The Salvation Army in Jacksonville is listed at 331 W. Douglas Ave., with phone 217 245 7124. That site provided noon meals Monday through Friday and a weekly food distribution, and the entry noted eligibility and proof of residency rules for recipients.

Rural and smaller town services were also included. Meredosia Food Pantry at 124 Green St., Meredosia, is listed with phone 217 320 9925 and was reported open the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The pantry offered drive through box pick up and outlined residency rules. Murrayville United Methodist Church Pantry at 501 Main St., Murrayville, is listed with phone 217 882 5381 and was noted as open the 2nd Saturday monthly with residency rules applying. Helps Ministry in Jacksonville, at 723 N Prairie St., is listed with phone 217 243 9913 and was described as offering assistance with food, baby formula, diapers and furniture, with referral and appointment information provided.

For Morgan County residents these sites serve as immediate access points to food and basic household needs. Access to baby formula and diapers carries direct public health implications for infants and caregivers, and consistent availability of fresh produce and bakery items supports nutrition that can reduce chronic disease risk. The listed sites also reflect persistent equity challenges in rural and small town areas, where transportation barriers and residency rules can limit access for low income families and people living on the margins.

The WAND list encourages local updates and additions, and asked readers to email news@wandtv.com to add or revise entries. As winter approaches community organizations, policymakers and health services face a choice between short term emergency response and longer term investments in food security, including stronger outreach for federal nutrition programs, transportation solutions, and funding for local food banks to ensure consistent, equitable access to healthy food for all Morgan County residents.