In an article released from Purdue University, it was reported that food insecurity has reached 17 percent, matching the rate last reached in March of 2022. Jamieson Community Center Executive Director Nancy Mowen shares the increase has been felt locally, as the number of visits to the pantry and senior nutrition delivers continue to rise:
“Our numbers are about double what we would normally see in the food pantry. We had more than 450 visits for two consecutive months, serving a total household size of more than 1,500 people. Similarly, our senior nutrition program, we had a really big spike over the winter months and then it kind of tapered off, but now we are more than 200 seniors every day.”
Mowen reports congregate meal sites for the senior nutrition program are open in Aledo, Oquawka, and Stronghurst; however, staff is needed to reopen sites in Monmouth, Kirkwood, Alexis, and Roseville.
