Wee CU Pantry for Kids Serves 232 Families With Food And Essentials In Champaign-Urbana

URBANA, Ill. — A pop-up food pantry is making its way through different communities, providing food and essentials to local families.

The Wee CU Pantry for Kids aims to feed children across different communities. Organizer Jerelle Leeks said he felt compelled to help others after requirements for SNAP benefits were changed at the beginning of the year.

As a Case Manager at the Strides Shelter of Champaign County and a Life Coach at C-U at Home, Leeks said he had multiple clients who were scared about what the changes would mean for them.

"Everybody is not in a position to get these types of things done, at least not immediately," he said. "Now you're in a situation where you need. And one thing the human body needs is to eat, point blank, period."

The Wee CU Pantry for Kids provides food, essentials, shoes, clothes, coats, jackets, toys, and books for children.

"To produce a better functioning adult in society, what if we just narrow down and trickle down the things the children didn't get as kids that they might have needed?"

At their first pantry, Leeks served 232 people, including 125 children.

Leeks said the pantry helps people who need volunteer hours to qualify for SNAP. Every month, the pop-up pantry will be in a new community.

The next pop-up pantry will be at 5 p.m. on June 19 at Fountain Valley in Rantoul.

About The Organizer

Jerelle Leeks works as a Case Manager at the Strides Shelter of Champaign County and as a Life Coach at C-U at Home.

He said he had multiple clients who were scared about what SNAP benefit changes would mean for their families.

Community Impact

The pantry serves as more than just a food source. It provides essential items that children need for daily life.

Leeks said the pop-up pantry helps produce better functioning adults in society by addressing the needs of children early.