Team members of Meijers grocery store in Springfield gathered on Tuesday morning to present a giant check in the amount of $70 thousand dollars to the Central Illinois Foodbank.

The donation is part of a larger effort to give $2 million dollars to food pantries and charitable providers across Meijers service area.

Executive director of the area food bank, Pam Molotoris, says the generous donation came as a surprise when store executives reached out to her office just a few days ago.

She went on to say because of rising inflation food insecurity, in our region and across the nation, is at an all-time high.

She says the money will allow the pantry to put an even greater emphasis on providing healthy meals to struggling families by purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables that are such an important part of a healthy diet.

Molotoris went on to say helping out our neighbors is a community effort and everyone can help by donating their time, money and talents.