United impact: Highland Area Christian Service Ministry
What began nearly 30 years ago as a humble food pantry in a local church has grown into a comprehensive social services agency—thanks in part to the funding and guidance of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. While our staff and volunteers proudly maintain that we are still a “Food Pantry First,” the breadth of support offered at 900 Chestnut Street in Highland, Ill., is truly remarkable.
📍 Our Reach and Impact
The Highland Area Christian Service Ministry (HACSM) serves families across the Highland School District (HCUSD #5), including Highland, Grantfork, Alhambra, New Douglas, and Pierron, as well as the neighboring towns of Marine and St. Jacob. From January through September 2025, an average of 463 unduplicated individuals from Madison County accessed our food pantry each month. With households eligible to visit twice monthly, we provided an average of 684 total pantry visits per month.
🚗 Curbside Pantry Service – Empowering Families with Choice
Families remain in their vehicles and select groceries from a menu featuring a wide variety of available items. Once selections are made, the driver pulls around to the front of our building. Inside, volunteers bag up the selected items, load the chosen items into a grocery cart and bring them curbside.
This “client choice” model ensures that families receive the products they need and will use, reducing waste and preserving dignity by allowing individuals to make their own selections.
🤝 Powered by Volunteers
Community volunteers are the heartbeat of our food distribution efforts. Each week, 25 dedicated volunteers fill essential roles, supported by 12-16 additional on-call volunteers from local churches. Their commitment ensures that our operations run smoothly and compassionately.
🧑💼 Case Management and Support Services
Our five part-time case managers are available Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering assistance with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), medical benefits, LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), rent support, and more. Case managers met with 731 individuals from 391 families in 2025, for a total of 1,017 services. In the 2025 LIHEAP Program year, our agency processed 302 applications, delivering $156,843 in energy assistance to local utility vendors. This reflects our continued commitment to supporting families in need and ensuring access to essential services across our community.
Seasonal programs—such as Easter Baskets, School Supplies, Birthday Gifts, and Christmas Adopt-A-Family—provide additional care for registered families throughout the year.
🥫 Food and Funding Sources
We receive pantry donations from a wide array of sources, including the St. Louis Area Food Bank, the Letter Carrier’s Food Drive, the Boy Scout Food Drive, and numerous collection points in churches, businesses, and organizations across our community. Monetary contributions from our local community and grants allow us to purchase essential items from local grocers, ensuring shelves are stocked with what families need most.
💸 Grants and Generosity
Grants play a vital role in sustaining our operations. We are deeply grateful for support from the United Way, St. Louis Area Food Bank, Highland Area Community Foundation, Wal-Mart Foundation, Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope, Alton Women’s Home Association, Old Newsboys, and others. Their generosity helps fund both our operating costs and food inventory.
📚 Training and Growth Through United Way
Beyond financial support, the United Way of Greater St. Louis equips us with tools to grow and improve. Through workshops and seminars, we’ve strengthened our volunteer certification processes, developed emergency safety plans, and built strategic frameworks for succession and fund development. As part of a network of 160 high-performing nonprofits in the bi-state region, we’re proud to contribute to a collective mission of uplifting families, friends, and neighbors.
🌟 Evolving to Meet Community Needs
Whether it’s navigating online applications for SNAP, medical benefits, or LIHEAP—or simply decoding complex paperwork—our team is here to help. At our core, we remain a food pantry. But as the needs of our community evolve, so too will the services we offer.
To learn more about Highland Area Christian Service Ministry, visit online at https://hacsmfoodpantry.org/ or call (618) 654-9295.
Your donation to United Way helps local nonprofit agencies like Highland Area Christian Service Ministry provide critical support to those who need it most.
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[Editor’s note: This is one of 20 United Way funded partner agencies being featured by the Illinois Business Journal through Thanksgiving as a part of its 2025 Giving Guide. The purpose of this third annual IBJ Spotlight is to encourage readers to consider supporting these agencies as a part of their holiday and year-end giving. The 2025 Giving Guide is sponsored by the Illinois Business Journal in partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis.]
