Community Food Basket of Ottawa

18/06/2026

Did you lose your SNAP benefits because of the new federal SNAP work requirements? The federal government made changes to SNAP and some customers lost benefits if they weren’t meeting or exempt from new work requirements.

📝 See if you can file an exemption: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN

💻 Customers can regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program. Visit: SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov

18/06/2026

Listen to Executive Director, Marissa Vicich, talk with Alexis as well as Holly Koster and Haylei Vanda on the Ferracuti Files podcast about the incredible work that Ohms is doing in LaSalle County to train new farmers. This year, the organization received the Farm to Food Bank Capacity Building Grant from Feeding Illinois. This grant is helping them to grow specialty crops for donation to the Community Food Basket of Ottawa and River Bend Food Bank!

🌱 NEW EPISODE OF THE FERRACUTI FILES 🌱

What if the solution to local hunger was already growing in our own backyard?

This week, Alexis Ferracuti is joined by Holly Koster of Ohms Sanctuary, Melissa Vicich of the Community Food Basket, and local farmer Haylei Vanda for a conversation about food access, community collaboration, and the future of local agriculture in the Illinois Valley.

Together, they discuss the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity Building Grant recently awarded to Ohms Sanctuary and how it will help create a hub connecting local specialty crop farmers with the Community Food Basket. The result? More fresh, locally grown food reaching families who need it most while supporting the farmers who grow it.

From reducing food waste to strengthening our local food system, this episode is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose.

🎙 Listen now and learn how local farmers, nonprofits, and community leaders are working together to feed Ottawa.

Ohms
Community Food Basket of Ottawa

13/06/2026

As we represent the Community Food Basket at the Humankind Initiative 's Ottawa Family Pride Festival at our booth in Washington Park, we are also be distributing food at our monthly River Bend Food Bank Mobile Pantry. Pride is not only a celebration, but a time to remember the struggles that LGBTQ+ community has faced and continues to be affected by.

11/06/2026

The Community Food Basket of Ottawa will be closing early today, Thursday, June 11th at 5:00 PM due to incoming storms.

03/06/2026

We could not be more excited to be working with Ohms (located in Grand Ridge, IL) and their farmer training program to bring more fresh, locally grown produce to our clients at Community Food Basket of Ottawa this growing season! The Farm to Foodbank grant was made possible thanks to Feeding Illinois and only strengthens our already existing partnership with River Bend Food Bank. Truly, EVERYONE wins! 🧡

02/06/2026

🍴 A friendly reminder that many of our community churches offer free meals throughout the week! 🥗

Please note that Open Table and First United Methodist Churches have swapped Sunday free meals in June. Open Table will serve the fourth Sunday (June 28), and First United Methodist will serve the second Sunday (June 14).

25/05/2026

Great news for Ottawa and the surrounding communities!
Free summer meals for all children 18 & under again this year.
The menu and ordering link for the first week will open later this week!

20/05/2026

Just a reminder that the Community Food Basket will be CLOSED on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

07/05/2026

Thank you Financial Plus Credit Union! Your unwavering support means the world to us!

Financial Plus is proud to present a $1,500 donation to the Ottawa Community Food Basket – made possible through member donations collected during our recent Shred Day event.

Supporting our community is always important to us, but this initiative was especially meaningful because it came directly from the generosity of our members. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped support this wonderful organization that makes a difference in so many families lives.