MARION – The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois is celebrating the life-changing impact of its food pantries in Marion and Centralia, Illinois, which together served 7,518 households, 17,092 individuals, and 4,181 children in 2025—meeting critical needs across the region during a time of growing food insecurity.
“Behind every number is a person, a family, and a story,” said Darla Harms, Associate Director of The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois. “Our mission is to ensure that families throughout Southern Illinois have consistent, reliable access to nutritious food. We are intentional about providing well-balanced pantry bags so our clients can depend on both the quality and consistency of what they receive.”
The Salvation Army’s commitment to excellence was recently affirmed when the Marion food pantry received an exceptional review during an audit conducted by the St. Louis Food Bank. The audit recognized the Marion pantry for its outstanding organization, cleanliness, and operational standards.
“The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois is one of the best food pantries in Southern Illinois.” The audit noted.
As food insecurity continues to impact families across the region, The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois remains dedicated to providing compassionate, dignified, and high-quality service—helping neighbors not just get by but also move forward with hope.
How the Community Can Help
The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois invites community members, businesses, and partners to consider making a financial investment in the fight against food insecurity. Financial donations allow The Salvation Army to expand programs, purchase nutritious food, and ensure families across Southern Illinois continue to have reliable access to essential resources.
A sustaining gift of just $25 per month can make a lasting impact and may be made online at https://salarmy.us/SouthernIL. Checks may also be mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1112, Marion, IL 62959.
Every gift—no matter what the size—helps provide hope, stability, and nourishment to neighbors in need throughout Southern Illinois.
For more information, contact Darla Harms, Associate Director, at darla.harms@usc.salvationarmy.org.