The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation has awarded a $3,000 grant to the Utica Knights of Columbus Father Marquette Council 1775 to fund its Hunger Blitz Project, which would not have occurred this year because of COVID-19.

The money will provide the Utica Knights of Columbus’ food campaign with needed funds to directly provide resources to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in La Salle.

“We are pleased to be able to support the Utica Knights of Columbus in their efforts to provide food support to our local communities,” SRCCF President and CEO Clete Winkelmann said. “We know the needs are great and with our assistance, many individuals and families will receive the necessary nutrition.”

Over the past 18 years the campaign has raised funds by engaging in a ground campaign and standing in front of local grocery stores in the area.

Those opportunities have been limited because of the pandemic, and without the foundation’s support, the food pantry would not receive this much of an infusion of funding.

Utica Knight of Columbus Program Director Ray Aubry said these funds will go a long way toward continuing to help those in the community.

“We are blessed to have this grant because we were concerned that we would not be able to hold our 20th annual food drive to support the community,” Aubry said. “We appreciate the kindness and generosity of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.”

The need for food assistance has grown because of COVID-19; these funds will go directly to support those in need by purchasing food to support the local community.

The Utica Knights of Columbus Council also will be able to leverage additional funding from its Supreme Council because of the support from the SRCCF.

The Hunger Blitz Project has been able to provide 40,233 pounds of food to the La Salle food pantry with more than 2,900 pounds in the last year alone.

The award was issued from the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The funds were raised from donors throughout the community to support efforts in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

Now through Feb. 15, people can donate to the Knights of Columbus “Help The Hungry” Food Drive at Hy-Vee in Peru. Ask a cashier to donate when you check out. You also can donate through the Knights of Columbus GoFundMe page link on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UticaKC.