MARION, IL — A regional food summit is hoping to address food insecurity across southern Illinois this August. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, more than 45,000 (14.3%) southern Illinoisans struggle with having enough food to eat and heavily rely on 95+ food pantries. The food insecurity rates among children range by county from 17.9% to 29.5%, translating to over 12,000 hungry children in the region.

Co-Facilitator of the southern Illinois Food Pantry Network and SnapEd Educator with the U of I Extension Offices, Toni Kay Wright, says community partners are hosting this summit to identify strategies that will reduce food and build the health.

Capacity at the event is limited to 150 guests. Wright says getting registered now at feedsi.org will be more important due to the restrictions on total number of people.

The summit will take place on Wednesday, August 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the City of Marion Pavilion. Businesses, schools, healthcare providers, farmers, religious and community organizations as well as community members who are interested in addressing food insecurity are encouraged to attend. Cost of attendance is $15 and includes a box lunch. Get more information by calling Toni Kay Wright at 993-3304 or email tkwright@illinois.edu.