Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Springfield’s micro pantries are suddenly running out of food
And check out Ella Langley on the Springfield Patch calendar
Good morning Springfield! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Springfield's micro pantries are suddenly running out of food
- How a Springfield drug investigation ended with a major meth seizure
- How a speeding incident on East Indiana Avenue became a felony case
Also on today's calendar: Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival and 1 more event.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid with periods of sun, with a high of 84 and low of 60 degrees.
- Friday: Humid with partial sunshine, temps: high: 83, low: 63.
- Saturday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Springfield organizations seeing increase in need after SNAP changes (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield food pantries and PBJ Springfield are seeing record demand, with some locations handing out up to 200 sandwiches a day and shelves often running bare. Local Catholic Charities reports meal counts and family visits have roughly doubled, driven by tighter budgets and SNAP changes. Residents are encouraged to help restock the city's 40 outdoor micro pantries, especially with easy-open canned goods. 
2. Springfield man arrested after 60+ grams of meth, other drugs seized (wcia.com) — Law enforcement in Springfield seized more than 60 grams of suspected meth and other drug items during a search of a home on West Enos Avenue, leading to one arrest. Sangamon County Sheriff's deputies and Springfield Police's Pro Active Crime Unit coordinated the investigation, and officials say more charges could follow as they continue their work.
3. Springfield teen arrested after hit-and-run, lying to police (wandtv.com) — A 19-year-old Springfield man is jailed after police say he hit a woman with his SUV during a speeding incident on East Indiana Avenue, then lied and blamed another vehicle. The victim suffered severe injuries and remains hospitalized, while the driver faces felony charges and was denied pretrial release in Sangamon County court.
4. Parking fundraisers pop up around Illinois State Fairgrounds (newschannel20.com) — If you're heading to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, several nearby lots are turning parking into fundraisers for local causes, from animal care to youth programs and veterans' groups. Options along Peoria Road, Sangamon Avenue, and Taintor Road typically cost $5–$10 and help organizations like the Animal Protective League, Springfield Sunrise Rotary, and Unhinged Motorcycle Club.
5. Springfield family displaced for 16 months after contractor water-jetting job (wandtv.com) — A Springfield mother and her children have been unable to live in their home for 16 months after sewer-related damage followed a city-hired contractor's work, leaving them in extended hotel housing. With an insurance settlement still unresolved and the contractor changing insurers, a local Springfield nonprofit is now covering their lodging through early September while they wait for answers.
📸 Around Springfield
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Ella Langley →
Illinois State Fairground, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield
8:00 pm
Friday August 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- GMS Band Community Service Performance
Glenwood Middle School Villas
5:30 pm - Board of Education Meeting
Ball-Chatham CUSD 5 201 W. Mulberry, Chatham, IL 62629
6:45 pm - Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival →
Inn At 835 Boutique Hotel, 835 S 2nd St, Springfield
12:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
Saturday September 5
📣 Springfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Teacher Inservice - No Student Attendance
U S Grant Middle School Springfield, IL 62704
8:00 am - Softball at Bureau Valley
John F Kennedy Elem School Bureau Valley Elementary
4:30 pm - Baseball vs. Peru
John F Kennedy Elem School JFK
4:30 pm - Meet your Teacher, Unpack your Bag, Ice Cream Social
Owen Marsh Elem School 1100 Avon Dr, Springfield, IL 62704, USA
5:30 pm - Boys Freshman Football @ Cahokia High School
Springfield High School 800 Range Ln, Cahokia Illinois 62206-2098
6:00 pm - Rumours - The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show on the Grand Central Stage Free Concert Series →
Illinois State Fairground, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield
7:30 pm - Meet the teacher and supply drop off
Elizabeth Graham Elem School 900 W Edwards St, Springfield, IL 62704, USA
4:00 pm - Fairview Open House
Fairview Elem School Gym and Classrooms
4:15 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Illinois farmers recognized statewide for conservation and local food leadership —Nicole Andas Read on Patch
- State Rep. Mike Coffey Delivers School Supplies to Springfield Public Schools District 186 —IL House Reps Read on Patch
- Hello neighbors, I'd like to ask for your help in identifying this cat.
It seems to have gotten separated from its owner and is looking for its way home. I hope anyone who knows its owner or has any information can let me… (Nextdoor North-West Section) - This is a Tufted Titmouse on our bird feeder.
We affectionately named Tony the tit. He loves sunflower seeds in the shell. He takes them and bashes them on the tree. Fun to watch. (Nextdoor North of Washington Park)
- Hilton posted a job opening for Guest Service Agent (Part Time) - DoubleTree by Hilton President Abraham Lincoln Springfield in Springfield. Apply here.
- Illinois House of Representatives posted a job opening for House Janitor in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.
Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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