Orion Area Food Pantry

HUNGRY?  NEED FOOD?  The Orion Area Food Pantry is open the first and third Tuesday of each month from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to residents of the Orion School District.  The pantry is located in the basement of Village Hall. 

Everyone meeting the established DHS monthly gross income limits through self-disclosure is eligible, without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.

DHS Maximum Monthly Gross Income for Receipt of USDA Commodities for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2025)

Household

Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Monthly

Income

$3,765

$5,110

$6,455

$7,800

$9,145

$10,490

$11,835

$13,180

$14,525

$15,870

For households with more than 10 persons, add $1,340 for each additional person.

Orion Backpack Program

Orion Food Pantry/Orion School District
Orion, Illinois 61273
Contact:  Lisa McDowell 309-781-0038 or Steve Wright 309-234-5209

The Orion Backpack Program is a local mission of the Orion Food Pantry being implemented throughout the Orion School District to address the needs of the children living in extreme poverty (families with an income less than 300% of the federal poverty level).

The Orion Backpack Program provides nutritious kid friendly food to children who live in "food insecure" households (households without consistent access to food) to get them through the weekend when school meals are not available.  This program is provided at no cost to the children or families.

The Orion Backpack Program provides each participating child with a backpack with 8-10 food items weekly to provide them with food on the weekends when free or reduced cost meals are not available at school.  Each backpack contains items such as canned meals (stew, soup, pasta, or ravioli), fresh fruits and vegetables when available, granola bars, cereal bars, cereal, canned fruit, instant oatmeal.  The bag is discretely placed in the child's backpack on the last day of school each week.  Food for the backpacks is purchased from The Orion IGA and River Bend Food Bank.

The Orion Backpack Program is administered through the Orion Area Food Pantry with funding provided through private donations and local public grants.  If you currently receive food from the Food Pantry or are in the SNAP program, you are eligible for this program.  You may contact your child's teacher or the school office to arrange for your child to participate.