United Way of South Central Illinois

United Way of South Central Illinois Because of the support from friends like YOU, we are able to press on. Thanks to YOU, we will continue to fight on behalf of our region.

United Way of South Central Illinois empowers individuals and families in Jefferson, Marion & Washington counties by improving access to education, healthcare, financial aid, and emergency support. The world has changed from what we once knew – some individuals are facing financial and economic hardships, some have been laid off or placed on furlough, and others are adjusting to a new normal of wo

rking remotely, even if that remote work is only for a short season. While the fight in South Central Illinois has certainly changed to new ways that we never could have anticipated, we want to acknowledge that our ongoing work with our corporate partners has not. Thanks to already formed and trusted relationships, as well as new partnerships that are being made each day, we are able to address the region’s most pressing needs and provide relief efforts across the region. We are able to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in South Central Illinois during a time when long term-relief and aid is needed the most. We are so excited to release our Annual Report to reflect all of the great work that YOU have helped to make possible. As we carry on this fight together, we will continue to make a difference in South Central Illinois in the coming days. We couldn’t do this without you. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

It's Mobile Market Day! Everyone is welcome to volunteer with us. Water (and rumor has it, popsicles!) will be available...
06/11/2026

It's Mobile Market Day! Everyone is welcome to volunteer with us. Water (and rumor has it, popsicles!) will be available. This is one of my favorite days of the month!

Huge thank you to The Golden Pancake House for a delicious dinner and an amazing fundraiser! You still have time to eat ...
06/11/2026

Huge thank you to The Golden Pancake House for a delicious dinner and an amazing fundraiser! You still have time to eat for a great cause! ❤️🥞🥓🍔

Pantry PointersProperly Storing FoodsHave a tip you’d like to share? Please leave it in the comments or feel free to mes...
06/08/2026

Pantry Pointers

Properly Storing Foods

Have a tip you’d like to share? Please leave it in the comments or feel free to message our page! We'd love to hear them!

Correct Fridge Temperature: Your fridge should stay between 35° and 40°. Your freeze should be at 0°. Staying cold is important but too cold can hurt some of your food. Leaf veggies and shelled eggs don’t like being frozen.
The Right Containers Matter: Try to keep your food in airtight packaging. Squeeze the air out to help food last longer, whether it’s in airtight bowls or even ziplock baggies. That extra air is not food friendly.
Produce is Picky: Strawberries and lettuce like being surrounded by damp paper towels. (DAMP is key, not wet). Other fruits and vegetables, like apples, oranges, and cucumbers need to stay dry until it’s time to eat them. Some produce likes to hide in cool, dark places-onions, garlic and potatoes are great examples. Avocados are a whole different beast all together. They like to be completely submerged in water and kept in the fridge. But, doing it that way, those bad boys will last up to two weeks!
Create a “Use Soon” space: Designate a space in your fridge for leftovers or things that are set to expire soon. We use a small bin from Dollar Tree as our “Use First” section. Works like a charm and keeps food from going in the garbage!
~*Recipe of the Week*~
Creamy Chicken and Rice
1 cup uncooked rice 1 can evaporated milk 1½ cups chicken broth 1-2 cups chicken (canned or leftover works great!) 1 cup frozen/canned veggies (peas, corn, carrots, etc)
In a pot, combine rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk, chicken, and your chosen vegetables. Cook another 5-10 minutes, just until everything is warmed through and it turns creamy. Season with salt, pepper, or your preferred spices. Taco seasoning and salsa are a great way to turn this into a southwest version!
Add cheese for a cheesy chicken rice dish! No chicken? No problem! Trade it out for your favorite beans instead.

❤️ Local businesses make a difference.Golden Pancake House isn't just serving meals—they're investing in local nonprofit...
06/07/2026

❤️ Local businesses make a difference.

Golden Pancake House isn't just serving meals—they're investing in local nonprofits and helping organizations continue their work throughout our communities.

Join us June 10 and help turn breakfast, lunch, or dinner into community impact.

Community happens when neighbors help neighbors.That's why we're excited to be part of Golden Pancake House's 7th Annive...
06/07/2026

Community happens when neighbors help neighbors.

That's why we're excited to be part of Golden Pancake House's 7th Anniversary Celebration on June 10. Their generosity will help support organizations working every day to improve lives across our communities.

We hope you'll stop by and celebrate with us!

Did you know?When you support United Way of South Central Illinois, you're helping connect families to resources, provid...
06/07/2026

Did you know?

When you support United Way of South Central Illinois, you're helping connect families to resources, provide books to children through Dolly Parton Imagination Library, support 211, strengthen food security programs, and so much more.

On June 10, you can help support those efforts simply by enjoying a meal at Golden Pancake House in Centralia.

Now that's a delicious way to give back! 🥞❤️

🎉 We have exciting news!On June 10, Golden Pancake House in Centralia will celebrate its 7th Anniversary by giving back ...
06/06/2026

🎉 We have exciting news!

On June 10, Golden Pancake House in Centralia will celebrate its 7th Anniversary by giving back to the community. A portion of all sales that day will support six local nonprofit organizations, including United Way of South Central Illinois.

Every pancake, every cup of coffee, and every meal purchased helps strengthen programs serving children, families, and individuals throughout our region.

Thank you, Golden Pancake House, for choosing to invest in the communities you serve. ❤️



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What a wonderful day at Family Pop-Up in the Park! 🌳☀️Today, we teamed up once again with Cedarhurst and University of I...
06/03/2026

What a wonderful day at Family Pop-Up in the Park! 🌳☀️

Today, we teamed up once again with Cedarhurst and University of Illinois Extension to bring hands-on learning, healthy choices, and lots of fun to local families. This has become one of our favorite summer traditions, and today's program did not disappoint!

Children had the opportunity to learn about nutrition, healthy eating, and making smart food choices in a fun and interactive way. Thanks to our United We Give program and our incredible partnership with Walgreens, each child received a grocery cart and got to shop for foods while practicing what they learned about healthy decision-making.

A special thank you to Cusumano's & Sons for providing opportunities for the kids to sample different fruits, vegetables, and other foods. There's nothing better than helping children discover new healthy foods they enjoy!

Seeing the excitement on the kids' faces as they filled their carts, explored new foods, and learned valuable life skills made for an amazing day.

We're thrilled to have Family Pop-Up in the Park back this summer! Join us for our upcoming events on June 17, July 1, July 15, and July 29. Keep an eye on our page for times, locations, and activity details—we'd love to see you there!

Thank you to Cedarhurst, University of Illinois Extension, Cusumano's & Sons, Walgreens, our volunteers, and all the families who joined us today. Together, we're helping children build healthy habits while creating memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️

Welcome to our new weekly series-Pantry Pointers! This series is here to help you get the most out of your pantry-one ti...
06/01/2026

Welcome to our new weekly series-Pantry Pointers! This series is here to help you get the most out of your pantry-one tip at a time. From practical storage solutions to smart shopping advice, and yummy recipes to help fill you up, we hope to help stretch your food dollars further and keep tummies from grumblings! If you have tips of your own that you'd like to share, feel free to message us and we'll get them added to next week's post!

Freeze food before it goes bad! Do you have bread, fruit, or leftovers getting close to their end of life? Stick them in the freezer! Pop frozen bread in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back the fresh, soft bread that you love. Cooked meat, bananas, berries, and even milk can be portioned and frozen.
Add extras! Did you know you can add oats to ground beef and not taste the difference? I add it to my tacos, burgers, and meatloaf every time I make it! Adding rice, pasta, or potatoes to your soups and casseroles makes them much more filling.
Meal planning goes a long way! Come up with a weekly menu and get only the items you need. This has been a life saver in my household. We look at the items we have, plan meals around that, and get the things we need to fill in.

Recipe of the Week!
Zesty Garbanzo Bean Bowl
1-2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (or one can), 1 cup white or brown rice, ½ cup corn, ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned is perfect!), 1-2 TBSP oil, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, Salt and pepper to taste
Optional add-ins: Shredded cheese, Sour cream or plain yogurt, diced onion or peppers, salsa or hot sauce. Use what you have!
Steps: In a skillet, heat the oil and add your garbanzo beans. Cook for 3-5 minutes over medium heat. Add your seasonings and stir well. Toss in the corn and tomatoes and cook another 3-5 minutes, until everything is warmed through. Spoon the mixture over rice. Top off with your extras and enjoy! Pro tip-season your beans while they’re warm to make them taste like a whole new meal!

Address

716 Main Street
Street , IL
62864

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16182428000

Website

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