The state of Illinois is distributing 286 pallets of MREs (Ready Made-Meals) to six foodbanks, as identified by Illinois Department of Human Services, for local distribution. More than 13,000 meals have been distributed through the state. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Chicago Food Depository)

The State Emergency Operations Center is working with the Illinois Department of Human Services and local emergency managers to address an identified need in our communities.

To date, the SEOC has received requests for food assistance from more than 40 local emergency management agencies.

Since the escalation of the pandemic, the demand for food relief has skyrocketed. Food banks are surging to meet an unprecedented demand.  To help meet this need, the state is distributing 286 pallets of MREs (Ready Made-Meals) to six foodbanks, as identified by IDHS, for local distribution throughout the state.

More than 13,000 meals have been distributed through the state.

MREs are frequently used for service members in combat or other field operations where organized food facilities are not available.  Inside each MRE bag is an entrée featuring a variety of food items.

One MRE contains roughly 1,250 calories (13 percent protein, 36 percent fat, 51 percent carbohydrates and 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals)

“No family should ever have to worry about putting food on the table, especially during this extremely difficult time,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. “We are pleased to announce the distribution of additional meals to our food banks across the state and the assistance it will provide for the families that need it most.”

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is a federal program, administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is managed by IDHS for the State of Illinois. The federal food assistance program provides food at no cost to help supplement the diets of low-income households.

IDHS helps to manage the overall food distribution from the USDA to the eight food banks that serve more than 670 pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens across the state.

IDHS connected the food banks with this generous offer of MREs and provided contacts, delivery information, and support wherever it was necessary to ensure that the meals could be delivered to six food banks in Illinois.

The State of Illinois will continue to work with our state and federal partners to identify ways to address this continued need.