The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry is open: Mondays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Fridays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Food is distributed, and donations are gratefully accepted during business hours. We also have collection boxes in the vestibule at Fareway, Nosh, and at Inspire Continuing Care for donations. The Clothing room is open to all residents of Geneseo and Atkinson on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Food Pantry will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 128 households in April. Combined food distributions in April were equivalent to 6,257 meals. Thanks to the many donors who make all this possible!
Ed.U Tutoring and College Planning is a local company in Geneseo, IL. that helps students gain confidence through tutoring and mentoring. Ed.U is partnering with the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry to provide free services to students and families who are struggling with school or are interested in pursuing college degrees, technical skills, or military service. Ed.U also offers help with resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills. Ed.U will tackle any educational or professional questions you may have!
Please make a one-on-one appointment by calling the Food Pantry at 309 944-3165; or by emailing us at geneseopantry@gmail.com.
The Food Pantry partners with Unity Point at Home to provide two Foot Care Clinics each month. Nurses soak feet, trim and file toenails, help with ingrown toenails, and give a light foot massage with lotion. Please call 309-944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment. Cost is $37. Food Pantry Guests are provided with a voucher.
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital taught a free “Using Food to Improve Your Immune System” class on May 16 in the Matthew 25 Center at the Food Pantry. Guests were provided with recipes for lower cost healthy dishes, a cooking demonstration, and free samples of healthy food. The next dietitian class will take place in August.
Questions you may have about Medicare and Medicaid will be answered by OSF OnCall when they come to the Food Pantry’s Matthew 25 Center on June 6th. This discussion will begin at 10:00 AM and is open to the entire community. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Mike or Nicole at 309 944-3165 to sign-up.
The Food Pantry staff are active in the River-to-River Food Pantry Coalition, which strengthens and revitalizes communities by contributing to better health through improved access to nutritious foods. River-to-River Food Pantry Coalition builds community by strengthening, supporting, and promoting the collaborative work of food pantries in the Upper Midwest with the goal of improving the overall health and wellness of pantry guests served. The Coalition, which serves Bureau, Henry, LaSalle, Marshall, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, and Whiteside Counties, met in the Matthew 25 Center at the Food Pantry May 3.
On April 19, the Food Pantry hosted the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch & Learn event: Marketing Your Small Business Online in the Matthew 25 Center.
Five years ago, the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry moved from Russell Street to 620 West Main Street. Thanks to our generous donors, the Food Pantry has the space to provide a full choice, more comfortable grocery shopping experience for our guests. There is space for classes, job search, holiday distributions and much more! Thank you to those who provided, and continue to provide, monetary support to help meet the needs of those who need help.
The Food Pantry is partnering with Geneseo Farmer’s Market to make more fresh fruits and vegetables available to Food Pantry guests. Vendors at the Farmer’s Market are welcome to donate any unsold produce to the Food Pantry.
Thank you to Sellman Cox Agency who provides milk to the Food Pantry every month. This is such a blessing!
Our Volunteer of the Month, Tom Cox, has been volunteering at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry for two years. He sorts clothing and household item donations for guests to take. Tom has a wife, Joan, who also volunteers, four children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys fishing, flower gardening, cooking, volunteering at church, visiting Gulf Shores, AL and traveling. He said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is helping our community. Tom admires the devotion, dedication and commitment of the staff and volunteers, and has gained a better understanding of how helpful the Food Pantry is to our community. Thank you for all your help, Tom!
Food needs: Canned fruit with no added sugar, low sodium canned beans, canned tuna in water, whole grain tortillas, and brown rice.
Non-food needs: Toilet paper, Kleenex, dish soap, razors, and shaving cream.
Clothing room needs: Kitchen items, small appliances, bedding, towels, and size 2XL and larger clothing.