Learn more about our food pantry
We're here to share our story with you. We're not just another food bank, but a community that cares deeply about providing for our neighbors. Our passion for helping those in need drives us to offer a wide range of dry and canned goods, frozen meat, breads, paper products, and toiletries on a monthly basis. We believe that by coming together, we can make a positive impact on our community, one meal at a time.
Mahomet Helping Hands food pantry was started in 1983 when a half dozen or so ladies from local churches met to discuss providing a place for Mahomet residents to get help without having to drive into Champaign. It was the group’s desire that the entire community be involved in this effort. A food pantry was organized with a once-a-month Saturday giveaway. True to the wishes of the founders, Mahomet Helping Hands is sponsored by eighteen local churches, organizations and businesses that contribute financially and take turns working at the giveaways. Additionally, generous financial donations are made by many individuals in our community. Donations allow the purchase of food from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank at very reasonable rates. School and post office food drives plus collection of food by various organizations supplement the food purchased.
Make a donation.
Your donations help us to continue our ability to provide food and toiletries monthly to our community and our neighbors. We welcome donations of non-perishable food and toiletries on the second Saturday of every month from 9:30-10:30am. Or you are welcome to donate money by mail at MHH P.O. Box 254, Mahomet, IL 61853 or by hitting the button below. We appreciate your kindness and generoisity!!
Board of Directors
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Eileen Waters
President
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Ann Paul
Vice President
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Mark Gergen
Treasurer
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Jenn Scheele
Secretary
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Beth Jackson
Coordinator
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Karen Wilkinson
Corresponding Secretary
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Kari Couch
Board Member
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Forrest Smoes
Board Member
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Carter Alderks
Board Member
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Bob Quinlan
Board Member
Monthly Minutes
Mahomet Helping Hands
PO Box 254
Mahomet, IL 61853
September 11, 2025
Ann opened the meeting with prayer. There were 11 people present. Eileen Waters, Beth Jackson, Bob Quinlan, Karen Wilkinson, Ann Paul, Kari Couch, Carter Alderks, Mark Gergen, Dawn Keller, Susan Wozniak and Jenn Scheele.
Secretary’s Report
Minutes from August 14th were read. Karen moved to approve the minutes and Kari seconded.
Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer’s report from August was read and approved. Jenn moved to approve the report and Ann seconded.
Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Karen sent 34 thank you notes to our donors among those were to the Mahomet Community Foundation. Eileen sent a thank you card to Frazier’s Appliance and to the Mahomet Community Foundation.
Coordinator Report
Total food for the giveaway on August 16th was 6,970 pounds: 2,579 pounds were purchased from the EIFB, 100 pounds were purchased from Sam’s Club, 12 pounds of personal hygiene were purchased from Meijer, 460 pounds were purchased from Schnucks for produce. 3,819 pounds were donated by the community.
62 families were served: 164 adults and 58 children for a total of 192 people. We had 3 new families.
The Mt Vernon United Methodist Church were the volunteers for the August Giveaway.
Old Business
-Eileen had Frazier’s Appliance here to look at our freezer and they fixed it for free.
-Bob serviced our fire extinguisher for $60.
-Amy Morris from Farm Credit wants to have a work day here on Friday, October 10th. Beth talked with Amy and they now decided that their employees could individually pick where they volunteer and Beth has not heard from any of them.
-Life Vineyard Church, Pastor Lisa Powell, will be our volunteers for our November Giveaway.
--Our volunteer cookout was a nice but hot day of fellowship for everyone. Thanks to everyone for helping with the delicious food, Jenn for hosting and Andy for being an excellent grillmaster.
New Business
-Beth and Eileen talked to Copper Creek, Jeremy James and the office coordinator Amy, and they offered to help the first Friday of each month with our Schnucks pickup. They are also offering to take a month for our giveaway.
-We talked to Cindy Brumfield with Mom’s Pantry about both of our Christmas programs. It was an insightful meeting.
-Discussion on keeping our Christmas program or to try something new. Jenn moved to not give gifts to only the children and everyone agreed. Kari moved to ask the churches for gift card/money on ornament tags and everyone agreed.
-Bayer has changed their grant to a “special event” grant with no deadlines and for an amount up to $1000. Eileen will check and see if we could still get a grant for fresh produce with signage from Bayer.
-Forrest needs to temporaily step back from the board meetings for personal reasons.
-Mark heard about a Community Foundation of East Central Illinois grant on WCIA. Mark and Eileen wrote a grant for steel shelving and infrastructure for our pantry.
-Link 2 Feed, the registration software, is being changed through EIFB and Beth and Kari are going to attend a training meeting.
-The Sangamon Valley Christian Center will be the volunteers for the October giveaway.
The next meeting will be held on October 9th at 7:00 pm at the MHH Center.
Karen moved and Mark seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting and the motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:42.
Respectfully Submitted
Jennifer Scheele