HERRIN (WSIL) -- Together We Can kicked off this week. It's an effort to collect 50,000 cans of soup in Southern Illinois, within one month.
Organizers met Wednesday morning at Southern Illinois Worship Center in Herrin where 5,000 cans arrived for the food drive from anonymous donors to kick things off.
The Fowler Bonan Foundation is leading the charge. They say the food will go to area pantries and help supplement food drives like the Farmers To Families program.
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), chairman of the foundation, says he's confident Southern Illinois is up to the challenge.
鈥淎nd we thought this would be a great compliment, to be able to add canned soup and be able to support our food pantries, because a can of soup is a meal," explains Fowler.
He says many families have struggled through the pandemic and area pantries are an invaluable resource for those needing help, and those who are possibly using them for the first time.
The challenge is already off to a "great start," says Fowler, adding that monetary donations are arriving as well. The Foundation is reaching out to businesses and organizations, hearing of how they are challenging their employees and members to participate.
Community groceries stores are set to benefit from the challenge as the money donated will go towards purchasing "large orders" of canned soups from mom-and-pop stores.
The Together We Can challenge runs now through March 15, 2021. You can find a list of of drop-off locations on the website, where you can also donate or learn more on how to become a sponsor.
