Illinois Valley Cellular provides more 
than 65,000 meals for area food pantries

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When Illinois Valley Cellular implemented its “Charity Begins At Home” program, CEO Tom Walsh envisioned empowering the company’s customers in ventures to raise funds — and awareness — for the many charities in their service area. However, the latest fundraising effort went above and beyond his expectations.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see the outpouring of generosity from our customers,” said Walsh, “and to be able to offer over 65,000 meals for the local Food Pantries. It’s almost beyond comprehension that a dollar here and a dollar there can translate into so many actual meals for those in need during these tough economic times.”

Indeed, it was the alarming rise in unemployment both nationally and in the area that prompted this latest venture. “More than ever, every Food Pantry needs every bit of help any of us can give,” commented Walsh, “and I feel we came through in a big way thanks to our customers who took to heart that ‘charity begins at home.’”

The holiday promotion was a simple one: For every new Illinois Valley Cellular customer or existing customers that upgraded their service, customers were asked to donate either $10, $25 or $50 — along with matching funds from Illinois Valley Cellular — to the local food pantries. The promotion yielded donations from every corner of Illinois Valley Cellular’s service area. Moline’s Riverbend Food Bank, the organization that provides goods to more than 15 local food pantries in five of the eight counties received the bulk of the donations.

Among the many food pantries that benefitted from this outpouring of generosity were: LaSalle County — Community Food Basket, Grace Community Church, Illinois Valley Food Pantry and Mendota Area Christian Pantry; Bureau County — Freedom House, Hall Township Food Pantry, Walnut Community Food Pantry, Wyanet United Methodist, Buda Faith Christian Church, Faith Christian Church and Bureau County Food Panty; Marshall County — Henry Food Pantry and Lacon/Koinonia Food Pantry; Stark County — First Baptist Food Pantry and Stark County Food Pantry; and Putnam County — Putnam Country Food Pantry. The counties of Iroquois and Livingston also received donations as part of Illinois Valley Cellular’s service area.

Walsh commented, “Our company was thrilled to be able to make this enormous contribution happen. We want to thank our customers — both those who upgraded and our new customers — for helping IV Cellular with this program that generated so much — for those who need it so much.”

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