15th Annual Prom Benefit Raises More than $350,000 Meals for Eastern Illinois Foodbank

For Immediate Release – March 4, 2024

Champaign, Illinois – The 15th annual Prom Benefit for Eastern Illinois Foodbank, presented by Martinelli’s Market, was held on Saturday, March 2 at I Hotel & Conference Center, and raised more than 350,000 meals for food-insecure individuals and families in the Foodbank’s 18-county service territory. At any given time, more than 100,000 people in eastern Illinois do not have access to enough nutritious food to support a healthy lifestyle. In the past year, the Foodbank has seen an average of 40% increase in need in the communities they serve.

The two top fundraisers, Holly Birch Smith (Holly Birch Photography) and Johny Santiago (York Public Adjusters), were crowned Prom Queen & King. This year’s Harrington Law Prom Court raised nearly $54,000 and also included: Abby Dixon (Hoss McClellan at Keller Williams), Bailey Parks-Moore (Eastern Illinois Foodbank), Lindsay Quick (Campus Ink), Jason Curtiss (CIBM Bank), Colin DeCair (Midland States Bank), and Kristian Gallivan (Adams Outdoor Advertising).

The Prom Benefit was founded in 2008 by local community member Lorianne Bauer as a fundraiser for Eastern Illinois Foodbank and is managed by the Foodbank and a committee of community members committed to alleviating local hunger. Every year, fun-loving folks come together to relive Prom night or experience it for the first time, all while helping fight hunger. This year’s country theme gave guests the chance to dust off their cowboy hats and boots to have fun for a good cause. The event featured raffle prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, dancing, an open bar, photo opportunities, and crowning the Prom King & Queen.