DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University proudly contributed 8,000 pounds/dollars of donations to support the 2025 WSOY Community Food Drive, reaffirming its commitment to supporting local families and alleviating food insecurity throughout Macon County.
This year’s campaign, held on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at the Kroger location on Route 36, raised a record-breaking $867,776 in food and funds in just 12 hours, thanks to generous support from organizations, businesses, and individuals across the Decatur community. \
Millikin’s campus united behind a shared goal of collecting 5,000 pounds of food/dollars through organized campus drives and community engagement. The university hosted drive-up donation events outside the University Commons, placed collection bins throughout residence halls and academic buildings and there were departmental donation competitions.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local supporters all played a part in the campaign’s success. Millikin’s donations were formally presented at the food drive’s live broadcast site on Friday morning. A Millikin truck, driven by Vice President of Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans, filled with nearly two tons of donations, was led to the WSOY drop-off location by the Big Blue Cheerleading squad. Student-athletes from several Big Blue teams were on hand to help unload and weigh Millikin’s donation
Proceeds from the food drive will support local charities, including Catholic Charities, Northeast Community Fund, The Salvation Army, and Good Samaritan Inn. Bulk food donations will supply daily meal programs, and financial contributions will fund grants for pantries and food programs serving families in need.
Millikin University remains committed to service learning and civic engagement as key pillars of its educational mission. By participating in events like the WSOY Community Food Drive, Millikin continues to foster a spirit of generosity and responsibility among students and staff alike.
For more information on Millikin’s community initiatives, visit millikin.edu.
