Expenses are up across the board for central Illinois families and a non-profit is highlighting its volunteer-based food pantry program.

Community Action offers a volunteer-based food pantry shopping experience to most of its service areas in central Illinois. Director of Agency Development, Breann Titus indicates if you'd like to shop at the food pantry, all they ask is a couple of hours of volunteering within the agency.

Titus feels the program appeals to a wide variety of people because it is not income based and it allows a variety of opportunities to help the agency out. Additionally, she feels those who volunteer feel empowered because they are earning what they are shopping for.

The program originated in DeWitt County and has since expanded to every county in the CAPCIL footprint except Fulton. Titus points anyone wanting more information to visit the Community Action website, capcil.info.

Logan, Menard, Mason, Piatt, and DeWitt Counties are where the program is available. capcil.info is the website to learn more about volunteer opportunities within Community Action.