November is Gratitude Month and in recognition, The Kewanee Voice is launching a campaign designed to help feed the community and residents are being urged to help.

The Gratitude November campaign will go through the month of November and The Kewanee Voice is seeking both monetary donations and donations of food from the community.

All donations can be dropped off at The Kewanee Voice office, located downtown at 121 N. Tremont St., during business hours, Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday 9:30 to noon. The Kewanee Voice will also accept monetary donations for the food pantry. Checks made payable to the Kewanee Food Pantry can also be mailed to The Kewanee Voice, P.O. Box 77, Kewanee.

Barb Gross, president of the food pantry board, said that due to a decrease in government commodities and increase in food prices and food insecurity, the pantry is in need of the following items:

Cereal

Peanut Butter

Canned vegetables

Pasta

Pasta Sauce

Soup

Beef Stew

Packaged meals

Baking Products

Toilet paper

Gross said she would appreciate any help the community can offer the pantry at this time.

Director Lisa Janey also is asking residents for cash donations and said that what consumers can purchase for a sum of $10 is much less than what she can purchase for that same amount at the food bank. Janey said she’s able to stretch those dollars for more food.

The Kewanee Voice’s Gratitude November coincides with National Gratitude Month, a time set aside to focus on the benefits of gratitude, which are linked to improved physical and mental health, stronger relationships and increased resilience. One way to celebrate Gratitude Month is to perform acts of kindness. The Voice staff and board of directors is hoping that residents will come together to feed their community over the holiday season.

“It’s our goal to help the Kewanee Food Pantry serve its community in uncertain times,” said Board Chair TD Welch. “That’s why we’re hoping that people will join us in donating to a great cause that will help out our friends and neighbors.”

In addition to organizing Gratitude November that will assist the food pantry and feed the local hungry, the Voice is also planning a monetary donation to help the cause.

Any questions about the campaign can be directed at news@kewaneevoice.com.