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
December 11, 2025
Ann opened the meeting with prayer. There were 14 people present. Eileen and Larry Waters, Bob Quinlan, Karen Lavazza, Karen Wilkinson, Ann Paul, Dawn Keller, Jenn Scheele, Carter Alderks, Beth Jackson, Sherry and Berry Viktora, Don and Natalie Bonham.
Secretary’s Report
Minutes from November were read. Karen moved to approve the minutes and Ann seconded.
Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer’s report from November will be sent to the board momentarily. Approval will happen electronically.
Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Karen is sending and has sent thank you cards to our many donors from November. She will also send thank you cards to Area Garbage, Pat Cook Realty and Schnucks.
Coordinator Report
Total food for the giveaway on November 15 was 9,386 pounds: 4,002 pounds were purchased from the EIFB, 750 pounds of laundry detergent and 60 pounds of paper products were purchased from Sam’s Club. 4,574 pounds were donated by the community.
77 families were served: 164 adults and 80 children for a total of 244 people. We had 10 new families.
The First Baptist Church were the volunteers for the November Giveaway.
Old Business
-Mark talked with Healthy Living Spas and it was said that no decisions will be made on our lease until springtime.
-Beth sent a thank you note to Jill Guth for taking the time to show us her space and to let her know that we are not making a decision at this time.
-Bayer accepted our grant for an Easter meal for each family with an amount of $3000.
-Karen wrote and sent a letter to the Taylor Realty about our building needs. She has still not heard back. She called today and left a message.
-Karen and Beth will be at the center on Sunday at noon to get the gift cards from our churches.
-Community Foundation for Eastern Illinois has denied our grant that we submitted.
-The Fisher National Bank has delivered their gift cards for our children for Christmas.
- Eileen filled out and turned in the form for us to have our campaign at Schnucks. This is still in the process for March.
New Business
-Carter will make a Google sheet for all of our volunteers that we can all access.
-Natalie Bonham has volunteered to be a grant writer for us. Yay!!
-Sam’s Club has started a new reward program called Sam’s cash.
-Thursday giveaway for December will be moved to Tuesday, the 23rd from 6pm-7pm.
-Eileen suggested we need to start thinking of a way to start a sponsorship for financial security. A volunteer wants to work on finding us a new location with help on donations, building, etc.
-The Mahomet Christian Church will be the volunteers for the December giveaway.
The next meeting will be held on January 8th at 7:00 pm at the MHH Center.
Jenn moved and Beth seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting and the motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:23.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Scheele