Midwest Food Bank in Morton reports higher need from local agencies as families seek help

MORTON ( 25News Now ) - As the government shutdown continues, more families across Central Illinois are turning to local food pantries for help, and the Midwest Food Bank in Morton said they’re hearing about increased demand from their local agencies.

Food bank managers said they work as the “middle man,” offering large bulk quantities of food to local agencies, food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters at no charge.

John Cirilli, the executive director of Morton’s Midwest Food Bank, said local agencies are describing a greater need, and certain food items are in high demand right now.

“For Midwest Food Bank, that just means that we have to rescue more food, acquire more food, so that we can provide that, so that we can meet the needs of the pantries. For spaces like ours as well, we