As winter approaches, the Elizabeth Titus library staff in Sullivan reminds patrons that certain circumstances may call for the library’s closure in order to ensure the safety of patrons as well as the staff. Power failure, heating system failure, snowfall of six inches or more, blizzard conditions, hazardous icing conditions, or a police advisory that travel is hazardous are just a few of the circumstances that may require closing the library. When closure becomes necessary, the director or the person in charge will notify local television (WAND in Decatur and WCIA in Champaign) and radio stations (Decatur WEJT 105.1FM or WDZ 1050AM), as well the News•Progress, so the public may be made aware of the closing. If uncertain whether the library is open or closed due to weather, call the library at 728-7221.

Those wishing to run for office in the March elections have until Monday, December 2 to file their petition with the County Clerk’s office.

Positions that are up for election include county clerk, treasurer, sheriff, and county board.

For more information, contact Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England at 728-4389.

A tornado relief donation drive organized by the Sullivan girl scout troops will conclude this Saturday.

Items that are needed include personal hygiene supplies, winter apparel, blankets and pillows, teddy bears, batteries, and baby items. These may be dropped off at Sullivan Fire Department, Mike Kirk’s Real Estate,  American Legion Lounge, Sullivan VFW or Sullivan IGA.

Monetary donations are also appreciated and may be mailed to Springfield Service Center, 3020 Baker Drive, Springfield, IL  62703.

For more information contact troop leaders Ashley Finfrock at 217-565-0474 or Heather Dendy at 217-460-1491.

The Sullivan Community Thanksgiving service will be held at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church this Sunday.

Blue Cross Blue Shield and Eastern Illinois Foodbank are teaming up to distribute a truckload of food from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank to hungry area families. The distribution will be held at Sullivan High School 9-11 a.m. December 14. All Moultrie County residents who meet income eligibility criteria are welcome (see below).

The distribution is part of the Foodbank’s Foodmobile Program, a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to areas of chronic or extreme need. Through the program, local companies and organizations are invited to contribute toward a one-day distribution of food and optionally participate in the distribution process. The cost to partner with the Foodbank on a Foodmobile distribution is $2,500.

The foodmobile distribution comes at a critical moment for area residents. Data released by Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks, shows that a staggering 15% of people in eastern Illinois are considered food insecure, which means they sometimes lack adequate access to food. More shockingly, over 20% of children are food insecure. (http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx)

“The number of people in eastern Illinois struggling to get food on the tables has been on a 10-year climb,” said Jim Hires, Executive Director at the Foodbank. “Eastern Illinois has been hit especially hard. We are so grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield for their commitment to helping the hungry through corporate giving and service.”

All eligible residents of Moultrie County needing food are welcome to attend the foodmobile distribution. To be eligible, a household must have an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, or approximately $3,631 per month for a family of four. Full eligibility criteria are listed below. Other area foodmobile distributions may be found by visiting the foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org and clicking “find help.”

For maximum monthly income per eligible household see the table below (for each additional member over eight, add $620.