Local police hosting food drive to meet summer needs
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Local police departments will be collecting food to address food needs around Central Illinois.
'Pack the Cruiser' is a four-hour food drive at Kroger locations in Peoria, East Peoria, Bloomington, Bartonville and Morton on Saturday, according to a Kroger news release.
Colleen Juergensen, president of Kroger Central Division, said the timing of the drive is important because of the increased need for food when school is out, due to some children no longer having access to school lunches.
'We also know demand is up at food banks and pantries while donations are down,' Juergensen said. 'So, Pack the Cruiser helps ensure food is available when local families need help.'
Some of the food items the drive hopes to collect include:
Peanut butter (plastic jar)
Jelly (plastic jar)
Canned fruit & vegetables
Cereal boxes
Granola bars
Applesauce & fruit cups
Instant oatmeal
Mac & cheese cups
Canned tuna & chicken
'Partnering with Kroger on this drive demonstrates how a simple idea can unite communities,' Peoria Police Sgt. Aaron Watkins said. 'Pack the Cruiser is a tangible expression of community care, reinforcing the idea that protecting and serving means addressing real needs, especially those of vulnerable families and children.'
According to Kroger, more than one local food bank will be supported by this drive, including Midwest Food Bank and the Goodwill of Central Illinois.
Marcie Luhigo, the development director of Midwest Food Bank's Central Team, said one in six children in Illinois face hunger, which can create issues for their development.
'When you partner with Kroger and Midwest Food Bank to pack the cruisers, you are making a difference for those children,' Luhigo said. 'The food you provide goes out to hundreds of feeding programs across the Prairie State. Within a matter of days, additional nutrition will help to sustain their development, growth, and learning.'
The Kroger locations participating in the drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 31 include:
1405 W. Garfield, Bartonville
2507 E. Oakland Avenue, Bloomington
201 S. Main Street, East Peoria
9219 N. Lindbergh Drive, Peoria
1001 W. Jackson, Morton
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
All things radish
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The radish isn't always the first vegetable that comes to mind for most people. But it can be surprisingly versatile when it comes to cooking. Olivia DeLeon from OSF HealthCare stopped by WMBD This Morning to showcase two unique recipes that utilize radishes. Ingredients 2 cups quartered fresh radishes 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill Flaky sea salt Directions Place quartered radishes on a serving plate. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with dill and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Ingredients 6-8 thin slices of baguette or other crusty bread 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup of low-fat ricotta cheese 1 clove of garlic, grated 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest, divided 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup of thinly sliced fresh radishes 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill Flaky sea salt Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees and add a sheet of parchment paper to a baking sheet. Brush bread with olive oil, then bake for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of lemon zest, and pepper. Mix to combine. Add 1/2 Tablespoon of the ricotta mixture to each slice of bread and spread evenly over the top. Place 4 radish slices on each toast then sprinkle with fresh dill and flaky sea salt. Love WMBD This Morning? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our Daily Newsletter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Men's Health Month spotlights masculine culture's healthcare impact
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — June is Men's Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Brian Curtis from OSF HealthCare says it's an important time to recognize health challenges men face. One of the key things Curtis says gets in the way of men's healthcare is masculine culture. He says it can often be a challenge to get men to see their doctors. 'They just do not get in to get checked, they ignore stuff, and they dismiss stuff,' he said. Curtis also said that, in addition to regular checkups, men should be aware of the screenings recommended as they age. That includes colon cancer screenings, which are recommended for those aged 45 and up, and prostate cancer screenings for those aged 50 and up. He also says men should start to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked starting in their 20s. Another thing men should be mindful of is their mental health. It's a topic that, according to Curtis, many men ignore or don't feel comfortable discussing. 'It's not really recognized,' he told us. 'It's a big stigma, the whole 'macho attitude' thing.' Curtis also said that when men attempt suicide, they're four times more likely to die than women. And their attempts also tend to be more violent. The key to helping men address mental health needs, Curtis said, is opening a dialogue with them. He recommends people speak up if they see someone stressed out or losing interest in things they used to enjoy, and allow them the space to talk about how they're feeling. Ultimately, it may come down to loved ones to get men to seek care. Curtis said when he was a practicing physician, he often heard one particular refrain. 'I'd be like, 'how can I help you today?' And they'd go 'I don't know, my wife made me come,'' Curtis recounted. Love WMBD This Morning? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our Daily Newsletter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Diet Cherry Coke is coming back, but only at certain stores
Diet Cherry Coke is coming back, but only at certain stores Show Caption Hide Caption Tariffs become a new front line in the cola war between Coke and Pepsi The Trump "Liberation Day" tariff plan is affecting both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co., but seemingly one more than the other. Straight Arrow News A fan favorite Diet Coke flavor is coming back for a limited time. Retro Diet Cherry Coke will be available for purchase for a limited time starting later this summer, a Coca-Cola spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. The soda will be available exclusively at the Kroger family of stores beginning in mid-July. Diet Cherry Coke was first introduced in the United States in 1986, according to Coke Solutions, a website run by Coca-Cola. By 2018, it was wiped from retail stores, according to an archived page on Coca-Cola's website. Fans of the flavor were quick to share their excitement at the news on social media − one user said they will be "purchasing it by the case." Another user chimed in: "LET THEM COOK." Here's what to know about the return of the line, including how to get it. Sprite + Tea: Sprite introduces a limited-edition flavor How to get Diet Cherry Coke Soda fans can get Diet Cherry Coke starting in mid-July. The flavor will only be available at supermarkets in the Kroger family of stores, according to Coca-Cola. In addition to the namesake brand, Kroger's family of stores includes Fry's, King Soopers, Ralphs and more. See the full list here. It will also only be available for a limited time, but final date to purchase it has not yet been announced. REI expansion: New REI stores are coming to these 3 cities this summer What happened to Diet Cherry Coke? History of the flavor Diet Cherry Coke was first sold in 1986 − four years after the original Diet Coke hit store shelves, according to Coca-Cola. The flavor built on the success of the regular Cherry Coke, which launched in 1985. In 2018, Coca-Cola announced the launch of four new Diet Coke flavors, including Diet Coke Feisty Cherry, which was intended to "offer a bolder taste experience" than Diet Cherry Coke, according to the company. With the release of Diet Coke Feisty Cherry, Coca-Cola announced that Diet Cherry Coke would be taken out of retail stores but still available to purchase on Amazon. It eventually went out of circulation online. Two years later, in 2020, the company discontinued Diet Coke Feisty Cherry, according to The New York Times, marking the end of the most recently available cherry-infused Diet Coke flavors. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
