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Mid-October, the Evergreen Roadworks team rallied, along with local trade unions and fellow contractors, for a food drive benefiting the Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF)—an organization committed to reducing hunger and strengthening communities across 21 counties in Eastern Illinois. Every can, box and dollar donated helps ensure families have access to the meals they need.
This group effort is becoming an annual tradition, this year far surpassing the last in donations. In 2024, about 2000 pounds of food were gathered, equivalent to over 1,500 meals (1.2lb = 1 meal). At the end of the 2025 drive, we collectively donated 9,700 pounds, over 8000 meals for our neighbors.
Local Unions: Laborers 703, Teamsters 26, Operators 841, Electricians 601, Finishers 143
Contractors: A&A Concrete, Cross Construction, Duce Construction/Sport Redi-Mix, Dodds Company, Stark Excavating
For the sake of friendly competition, the contractors and unions competed amongst themselves to donate the most food. Evergreen is donating $10,000 to EIF in the name of each winner in the four brackets. Well done Cross Construction (2445 lbs.), A&A Concrete (548 lbs.), Operators Local 841 (298 lbs.) and the Evergreen Roadworks team (4,011 lbs.)!
But this food drive is about way more than the competition—it is about the people.
Hunger is closer than many realize. More than 143,000 people in Eastern Illinois struggle with food insecurity, including one in six children. In some counties, child hunger rates reach 16% or higher, and in Vermilion County, nearly one in four kids face uncertainty about their next meal. These numbers represent real families making tough choices between food, housing and healthcare.
Every contribution makes a difference. Thanks to EIF’s efficiency, just $1 can provide three meals to someone in need. Last year, the Foodbank delivered 9.7 million meals, including over two million pounds of fresh produce, through nearly 200 partner agencies such as food pantries and shelters. Programs like Foodmobiles, School Markets, and BackPack initiatives ensure that children, seniors and rural communities have reliable access to nutritious food.
EIF’s work goes further than supplying groceries. They invest in strategically removing barriers to food access, expanding cold storage for fresh produce and partnering locally to meet growing needs. Rising costs and fewer large-scale donations mean financial support is more critical than ever. With their buying power, every dollar can stretch to provide $10 worth of food, amplifying the impact of contributions.
