The DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) is providing increased food distributions thanks to a $15,000 DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Grant.

Increased food distribution is done through the Grow Mobile pop-up pantry events all around the County. The DCCG distribution increased to 12 for May and at the time of this update, they were in the process of adding more mobile events. In addition, they collaborated with DeKalb Housing Authority to provide door deliveries of over 20 pounds of food to all the residents of DeKalb Housing Authority buildings. DCCG is collaborating with other organizations to ensure food security.

The grant dollars enabled the DCCG to purchase:

• A new freezer to handle increased amount of food
• A pallet jack to increase efficiency of moving thousands of pounds of food
• Zoom for organizational remote meetings
• 49,900 pounds of food
• Boxes and related supplies for the food distribution and packing
• Ability to offset increased labor costs due to COVID-19

In the near future, the Community Gardens looks to serve 10,000 residents and increase access to emergency food and supplies. The mission of DCCG is to empower DeKalb County residents to access healthy, sustainable foods through community education and participation.

Thank you to the many donors whose gifts make grants like these possible! And thank you to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund for the multiple grants that boosted the amount we were able to give in response to local needs. 

Funding for this grant program is made possible by the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund, a new component pass through Fund created in collaboration with various local funding partners. The Fund’s purpose is to be a depository for contributions intended to respond to the effects of COVID-19 in DeKalb County by distributing grants that address preparedness, response, recovery, and/or rebuilding efforts.