Illinois Colleges Will Launch Annual Food Drive

The statewide Feed the Need initiative aims to support students and local families starting October 19.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy

Illinois Colleges Will Launch Annual Food Drive

Live Poll

Should community colleges organize campus-wide food drives to support students in your area?

The Illinois Community College Board will launch its third annual Feed the Need campus food drive on October 19, 2026. This statewide initiative encourages campuses to collect non-perishable food items for local pantries and campus-based food banks.

Why it matters

The program addresses pervasive food insecurity that affects a significant portion of the student population. By mobilizing community college campuses across Illinois, the effort seeks to provide necessary resources to students and families in need.

Illinois community colleges donated 180,000 food items in 2025, nearly doubling the 91,000 items collected during the 2024 inaugural drive. Nationally, 40% of community college students face food insecurity.

The players

Illinois Community College Board

This state agency oversees the community college system and coordinates the annual Feed the Need initiative.

Elgin Community College

This institution is a participating campus that achieved the highest donation total during the 2025 food drive.

The details

Participating campuses across Illinois will compete to gather non-perishable goods, with students, faculty, staff, and community members invited to drop off donations at designated locations. Elgin Community College led the collection efforts in 2025 as the campuses work to address local food access challenges.

The 3rd annual Feed the Need food drive launches on October 19, 2026.
The statewide food collection campaign concludes on November 30, 2026.

Market Landscape

The Feed the Need initiative serves as a direct institutional response to the documented 40% food insecurity rate facing community college students. By centralizing collection efforts, the campaign mirrors broader trends of academic institutions expanding support services to improve student retention and welfare.

Students, staff, and local residents can directly participate in the campaign by dropping off non-perishable food items at designated campus locations through the end of November. These contributions provide immediate support to food banks and pantries that serve the campus community.

The takeaway

Participating in campus drives helps bridge the gap for students who struggle to balance academic costs with basic nutritional needs. Donors should verify local drop-off schedules and preferred item lists to ensure their contributions reach those who need them most.