The Taylorville Community Credit Union (TCCU) has wrapped up its 12th annual Freedom Tree community food drive, raising $3,200 in cash donations to help local food pantries.

The fundraiser was held across the credit union's four locations, with donations of cash, canned food, boxed food, and personal hygiene items collected to support families in need. In Taylorville, all donations will benefit the Taylorville Food Pantry.

TCCU President Will Perkins said cash donations provide an especially valuable resource because food pantries can stretch every dollar much further when purchasing food through regional food banks. Perkins also added that it’s been a struggle for everyone in the community right now with increasing costs for food and essential household items. This food drive was to help those in need, get their necessities. 

Perkins also said that their whole motive was to give back to the community. According to Perkins, each monetary donation allows food pantries to buy several pounds of food, helping maximize the impact of every contribution and allowing organizations to serve more local residents.

Perkins also said community support for the Freedom Tree food drive continues to grow each year. He credited the generosity of members and area residents for making the annual campaign a success, adding that while TCCU is proud to sponsor the mid-year food drive, it would not be possible without the continued support of the communities it serves. Despite the pounds of food donated being slightly less this year, the monetary donations have increased compared to prior years, Perkins said.

The Freedom Tree food drive has become an annual effort by TCCU to help stock local food pantries during the summer months, when donations often decline but the need for assistance remains steady.

Information on TCCU can be found online at wwww.tccu.org. Taylorville Community Credit Union has branches in Taylorville, Pana, Hillsboro, and Litchfield.

Get all your local news online at taylorvilledailynews.com.