An DeKalb County nonprofit that provides hot meals to the needy, nutrition programs for day cares and transportation for those without it, is turning 50 this year.

The DeKalb County Board recently approved a grant-funded project that will remodel the transit facility used by the Voluntary Action Center without county funding, but aided by more than $1 million in state grants.

Kishwaukee United Way kicked off its annual day of caring this week by distributing $160,000 to 17 different agencies that provide services to those in need throughout DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Voluntary Action Center recently received more than $17,000 for new kitchen equipment for its Meals on Wheels and Congregate meal programs that provide food to area residents.

More than 160 Thanksgiving Day meals will be delivered this year by those volunteering or working for the Voluntary Action Center’s Meals on Wheels program.

The Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois was selected to receive a $2,500 donation from Corteva Agriscience’s Community Better: Corteva Grows Communities program, as officials from both organizations met Thursday to present the donation

The Voluntary Action Center's request was the highest bid at $9,878,367, and Transdev's was the lowest at $8,466,817.