A number of food pantries will now be able to keep perishable donations longer, something that many pantries struggle with. 

The help is coming from Ameren Illinois, which recently donated 26 The ENERGY STAR upright convertible refrigerator/freezers to pantries across its service area. The donations came after hearing of places that were having to turn away donations because there was a lack of equipment to store the food. Ameren Illinois Community Relations Executive Tina Gibbs says more than 100 agencies applied for help.

Based on the response, Gibbs says there is a good chance they will do this again later this year.