Champaign, Illinois – The 17th annual Prom Benefit for Eastern Illinois Foodbank, presented by Martinelli’s Market, was held on Saturday, February 28 at I Hotel & Conference Center. It raised a record-breaking $211,125 that will provide more than 633,300 meals for food-insecure individuals and families in the Foodbank’s 21-county service territory. At any given time, more than 143,000 people in east-central Illinois do not have access to enough nutritious food to support a healthy lifestyle. In the past year, pantries in the Foodbank’s network have served a historic number of neighbors—including serving more than four times as many children this winter than in the past summer. The two top fundraisers, Luke Esteppe (Illinois American Water) and Morgan Stone (Michelle’s Bridal & Tuxedo), were crowned Prom King & Queen. This year’s Harrington Law Prom Court raised more than $105,265 and also included: Ian Asklund (Sola Gratia), Laurie Coward (Midland States Bank), Michael Finke (Team Finke at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group), Wes Hanner (Hickory Point Bank), Danni Jepson (Adams Outdoor), Madison Noble (McLean County Chamber of Commerce), Jamie Propst (U of I Community Credit Union), and George Rodawig (Busey). 

The Prom Benefit was founded in 2008 as a fundraiser for Eastern Illinois Foodbank and is managed by the Foodbank and a committee of community members committed to alleviating local hunger. Every year, fun-loving folks come together to relive Prom night or experience it for the first time, all while helping fight hunger. Guests were all aboard for this year’s Under the Sea theme and enjoyed a night of fun for a good cause. The event featured an online auction and raffle prizes, drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres, desserts, dancing, photo opportunities, and crowning the Prom King & Queen. 

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Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) works to alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois as the primary food source to a network of nearly 200 food pantries, agencies, and other programs throughout our 21-county service area. Through these agencies, the Foodbank provides meals to more than 1.5 million people each year. Since 1983, EIF has led the fight against hunger and strengthened communities by providing food access, emergency relief, education, and advocacy to families in east-central Illinois. EIF is a member of Feeding America, Feeding Illinois, the United Way of Coles County, and the United Way of Champaign County. For more information, visit eifoodbank.org.