Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Commits $1.15 Million to Expand St. Louis Area Foodbank Mobile Pantry Program

Core Insights - Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. has announced a $1.15 million grant over three years to support the Food On The Move mobile food pantry program, which aims to provide healthy food to underserved populations in Illinois [2][4]. Group 1: Grant and Program Details - The grant will fund over 300 mobile market distributions throughout Metro East and Southern Illinois, targeting low-income areas with limited access to nutritious food [3]. - In 2024, Food On The Move supported approximately 12,000 individuals across 4,300 households, and by May 2025, it reached nearly 18,700 people in over 6,500 households [5]. Group 2: Community Impact - More than 1.6 million residents in Illinois face food insecurity, with St. Clair County having an estimated 34,520 food-insecure individuals, representing 13.5% of the population [4]. - The program is expected to serve an anticipated 60,000 community members through 2028, significantly enhancing access to healthy food and nutrition education [5]. Group 3: Program Features and Community Engagement - The mobile pantry allows individuals to choose foods that fit their household needs, serving up to 100 families at each stop, which promotes dignity and respect [7]. - Starting in 2026, Meridian will collaborate with local healthcare providers to offer health screenings and vaccinations at selected Food On The Move events [8].