FREEPORT — Cornerstone Credit Union hosted the 7th annual WREX Freeport Food Drive at their Freeport facility on Friday, Nov. 5. 

WREX-TV Channel 13 did live broadcasts throughout the event which ran from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. This local effort began in 2014 when the Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC) made WREX aware that some food pantries were at risk of closing their doors due to lack of food. WREX held the first Freeport food drive and allowed those to keep their doors open because of the community’s response; now the food drive is an annual event. 

This was the fourth year the drive was held at Cornerstone, and the donations have increased year after year. 2021 brought the most donations ever received, with well over two tons of food valued at over $9,000 and over $3,000 in monetary contributions, including a corporate donation of $1,500 presented by Cornerstone Credit Union. FACC received the donations and is working with other local pantries to share the donations. 

“We were overwhelmed by the greater Freeport community’s generosity. Thanks to everyone who gave to this year’s successful effort,” said Amy Korte, FACC Executive Director. 

Lorna Cote, Cornerstone Credit Union Marketing Director, said, “People helping people is the credit union motto, and the WREX Food Drive is the epitome of that mission. We are proud to partner with WREX to fight hunger in the local community.”