"60-Day Hunger Drive" aims to raise $100,000 to alleviate hunger in Illinois and western Indiana
Champaign, Ill. – Birkey's Farm Store, Inc., a full-line Case IH dealer with 13 locations in central Illinois and Indiana, is partnering with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and 6 other local food banks to provide 600,000 meals for the hungry. The 60-Day Hunger Drive fundraiser kicks off on Feb. 3 and runs until April 4 in every Birkey's location. A fully restored 1954 Farmall tractor will travel across the state to encourage donations; individuals who give $10 or more are entered into a drawing to win it.
Customers and community members are invited to an open house at each Birkey's location to talk with food bank representatives and view the restored tractor. Locations within the Eastern Illinois Foodbank territory include Oakland on Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gibson City on Feb. 18 from 8 a.m. to 1
p.m., Hoopeston on Feb. 20 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Mattoon on Feb. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A grand opening for Birkey's new building in Urbana will take place on April 4 and 5.
"Instead of asking for food donations, we wanted to take a different approach and leverage the food banks. Using their networks, a dollar donated can be stretched into 6 meals for hungry families," says Mike Hedge, President and CEO of Birkey's.
"The food banks in Illinois and western Indiana are pleased to partner with Birkey's in the fight against hunger," says Jim Hires, President of the board of directors of Feeding Illinois and CEO of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. "Their commitment to local communities will make a huge difference in the lives of
the individuals we serve."
Customers, residents and store employees can donate at any of the company's 13 locations with cash or check, or by adding a donation to their total purchase. Donations can also be made through Birkey's website. Proceeds from each Birkey's location will be allocated to agencies in that store's local
community. More than 550 agencies—food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters—will benefit from the drive.
