Written by: Jamie Roth, Community Services & Public Relations Director
(Macomb, Illinois, October 31, 2025) – Seniors living on fixed incomes, families with young children, and veterans unable to work due to injury are just some of the people worried about the pause in food stamp benefits during the government shutdown. Food pantries across the U.S. are bracing for an increase in demand on their already limited resources. Officials at Good Food Pantry, a program of WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) in Macomb, have an emergency plan in place to assist additional people in need, but they need community support for the plan to work.
Good Food Pantry is a popular program that has gained statewide attention for innovation to address community needs, through the Office of Community Assistance (OCA). The pantry was designed using a choice-based model, meaning customers can browse the aisles and choose items just as they would at a grocery store. Nutritious foods, including many allergy-friendly options such as almond milk, are available year-round to thousands of people who walk through their doors every year. The program is meant to supplement other social services in the area, with eligible households receiving around two weeks’ worth of food every 30 days.
Kelly Shiraki, Good Food Pantry Manager, says her greatest concern during the food stamp pause is whether the program’s budget can sustain a surge of new enrollments in a short time.
“We have already seen an increase in need over the last few pantries this month. Multiple shoppers have shared their fears and concerns about how they will make ends meet during the SNAP pause. We anticipate this need will continue to grow,” says Shiraki.
Visitor data paints a stark picture of how many people are struggling in McDonough County. The number of people assisted in September 2025 grew 31%, compared to September 2024. This year to-date, Good Food Pantry assists nearly 10% of the entire county’s population. On October 23, a new record was set for the number of visitors in a single four-hour day, now held at 211 people and including 13 brand new household enrollments.
The existing level of need in McDonough County – before the food stamp pause – already strains the Good Food Pantry’s remaining budget for this year, which is supported through community donations and partly through state and federal grants. Funding is provided in part by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
“This situation highlights just how quickly hardworking families can find themselves in crisis through no fault of their own,” said Stacy Nimmo, CEO of WIRC-Community Action Agency. “Our Good Food Pantry team is preparing to meet this surge in need, but we can’t do it alone. Community support—whether through donations, food drives, or volunteering—will make all the difference for our neighbors during this uncertain time.”
“We have to purchase around $5,000 of food per month, at a minimum, to keep our shelves stocked,” says Jamie Roth, Community Services and Public Relations Director. “Around 20,000 pounds of food is distributed every 30 days to working families, retired individuals, and more who are struggling and need a boost.”
She continued that most of Good Food Pantry’s visitors are permanent residents of McDonough County, not university students. “Our team has noticed through comments and conversations with the public there is a misunderstanding of who in McDonough County needs support,” Roth says. “University students are often blamed for our county’s poverty rate and need, but the reality is they are only a small percentage of our regular customers in the pantry and our other programs agency wide. The need is truly here with people who call this area home year-round.”
Shiraki says their initial plan involves three parts: (1) Increasing the number of certain products allowed per household, such as frozen meats and meal mixes that are in high quantity at the pantry; (2) Encouraging the public to host food drives for shelf-stable products and spices; and (3) Increasing volunteer opportunities to make sure the shelves stay as full as possible during the pantry. She continued that innovative ideas involving partnerships are also being considered, but it is too early in development to share with the public at this time.
“We could do more if we get additional partnerships and donations from the public. If anyone would like to help, we encourage them to contact Kelly to start the conversation on how we can work together,” said Roth.
To ask about volunteer or partnership opportunities, such as a food drive, contact Kelly Shiraki of Good Food Pantry by phone at 309-313-2049 or through the program’s Facebook page. To make a cash donation, visit https://wirpc.org/donate/ or mail or hand deliver a check to their office at Good Food Pantry, c/o WIRC, 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois 61455.
Good Food Pantry at WIRC is open to McDonough County residents from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for holidays. To ask about the enrollment guidelines, please contact Kelly at 309-313-2049 or through the program’s Facebook page. WIRC-Community Action Agency and the Good Food Pantry program are Equal Opportunity Providers and Employers.