United Way of Kenosha County Provides 15,000 Pounds of Fruits, Vegetables and Fresh Protein to Kenosha County Through Charitable Support from Eli Lilly and Company to United Way Worldwide
Kenosha County, WIS (September 21, 2026) – As families across the country continue to face rising food costs and increasing barriers to accessing healthy meals, through charitable support from Eli Lilly and Company to United Way Worldwide, United Way of Kenosha County is working with local partners to provide 15,000 pounds of nutritious food to the Kenosha County community. The charitable support provided by Lilly is part of a nationwide initiative by Lilly marking the company’s 150th anniversary and promoting access to healthy food for those in need in 15 communities, like Kenosha County.
On September 24, 2026, food will be distributed at three community sites: Shalom Center, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sharing Center, with support from Twin Lakes, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Salvation Army, from 9 a.m. to noon. The effort is being coordinated in partnership with Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Kenosha County Food Bank, Shalom Center, Sharing Center, and Salvation Army, with volunteers assisting at each site. Food boxes that are not distributed on September 24 will be made available for distribution in the partner’s regular schedule following the Day of Service to help ensure the donated food reaches community members in need.
“This effort is more than providing food for today – it’s about helping families build healthier futures,” said Selina Gomez-Beloz, CEO of United Way of Kenosha County. “Too many families are forced to make impossible choices between buying groceries, paying rent, covering utilities, or filling prescriptions. By working together with Lilly and our community partners, we’re helping to ensure more people have access to nutritious food while strengthening the health of individuals and families. We’re grateful for Lilly’s support of United Way Worldwide, which is supporting this event, and the long-term impact it will have in our community.”
Nutritious food is a critical building block to lifelong health as it supports child development, helps adults manage chronic conditions, and enables older adults to live healthier, more independent lives. Yet many families continue to face obstacles – including affordability, transportation, and limited access to fresh food – that make accessing nutritious food difficult. In fact, according to the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey, 1 in 4 adults report experiencing household food insecurity and having difficulty affording adequate food.
This distribution event builds on United Way of Kenosha County’s ongoing commitment to healthy communities with local pantries, who see the strain of rising grocery costs on families firsthand. Support like this helps those pantries stretch their resources further at a time when the need remains high across the county.
For more than a century, Lilly and United Way have worked together to advance health initiatives, support education, and address social determinants of health for stronger communities. Lilly is part of the President’s Circle of the United Way Leading Corporate Partners Program, a new United Way Worldwide recognition program. Nearly 600 United Ways have been supported through Lilly employee giving programs and volunteering.
Lilly’s commitment to community extends beyond philanthropy. Through its Global Day of Service, launched in 2008, thousands of Lilly employees volunteer in communities around the world. As part of the September 24 event, about 65 Lilly employee volunteers will join United Way of Kenosha County in giving back to Kenosha County.
For more information about United Way of Kenosha County, visit kenoshaunitedway.org.
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About United Way of Kenosha County
United Way of Kenosha County is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of individuals and families in our community. Through strategic partnerships and funding in the areas of education, financial stability, and health, United Way is helping create long-term positive change for residents of Kenosha County. We believe in the power of working together, and by uniting people and resources, we can build a stronger community for all.
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Media Contact:
Selina Gomez-Beloz
(262) 658-4104
info@kenoshaunitedway.org