Solar panels are coming to the roof of the Taylorville Food Pantry.  Over a hundred panels are set to be installed in the coming days, with the aim of significantly curtailing the pantry’s use of electricity through more traditional means.  It comes as higher electricity bills have affected the operating costs at the food pantry along with the community members they serve.  Amy Hagen, one of the food pantry’s co-coordinators, says the panels will all be on the roof to conserve the ground space around the building. 

Pam Moses, another co-coordinator, says the food pantry is buying, not leasing, the solar panels to take advantage of tax incentives. 

Hagen says discussion on bringing in solar panels began three years ago, as part of their effort to reduce operating costs. 

The co-coordinators report a consistent number of new households visiting the food pantry in May compared with April.  They say rising costs in electricity but also in gas and other essentials have led to more new visitors at the pantry.

The Taylorville Food Pantry is located at 1429 East Main Cross.  They are open Tuesdays from 8:30-10 a.m., Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  More information is available at www.taylorvillefoodpantry.com or by calling them at (217) 820-2651.

Amy Hagen and Pam Moses appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.