SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois has unveiled a new grant initiative designed specifically to support volunteer organizations in their fight against hunger and food insecurity.
The initiative, led by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, comes as a response to reductions in federal funding for programs like SNAP. Known as the Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grants, this program offers up to $5,000 to food pantries, soup kitchens, and similar nonprofit groups that operate without full-time staff.
This initiative closely resembles the Illinois Treasurer’s Charitable Trust program created in 2017. The standout feature of the new program is its inclusivity, targeting smaller, volunteer-reliant organizations previously ineligible for the Charitable Trust program due to their staffing limitations.