INA, Ill. (October 23, 2025) — Rend Lake College is excited to join other Illinois community colleges this fall to combat food insecurity and to support students across Illinois during the second annual Feed the Need campus food drive.
The 2025 Feed the Need drive officially launched on October 15 an will run through December 1, 2025. During this drive, participating colleges are engaged in a friendly competition to collect non-perishable food items for local food pantries and campus-based food banks.
Last year's inaugural effort proved the power of collective action, with Illinois community colleges collecting more than 91,000 food items.
"Food insecurity remains one of the biggest barriers to student success. By joining forces across the state, community colleges can make a meaningful difference not only on campus but also in the communities they serve," said Brian Durham, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
RLC is aiming to collect 750 non-perishable items! These items can be food items or personal hygiene items, such as laundry supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. All items collected will stock RL-Cares' on-campus food pantry, directly benefitting RLC students.
According to the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, food insecurity is a pressing issue, affecting 1 in 3 college students nationwide. By participating in this drive, RLC can help ensure that no student goes hungry.
For more information about Feed the Need, please contact Vickie Schulte, Dean of Student Success and Development / Title III Student Success System Developer at schultev@rlc.edu.