Since we first transitioned into our current credit-earning model in the fall of 2014, we have done our best to make the unique opportunities we provide available to every person who desires to participate. Not surprisingly, the number of people…

Since we first transitioned into our current credit-earning model in the fall of 2014, we have done our best to make the unique opportunities we provide available to every person who desires to participate. Not surprisingly, the number of people…
Poverty of community affects all of us. Salt & Light in Urbana and Champaign, IL addresses this broken relationship through opportunities that build collaborative connections with community members and participants.
I saw a growingly familiar sight on the off ramp today. A disabled “begger” who was clearly in a bad way. He had this eerie million-mile stare on a very downcast face. As he leaned on his crutches there was no way…
When we hear the word “poverty”, the majority of us think of individuals who are facing severe economic struggles. This could be accompanied by preconceived notions of what they look or smell like - their background, ethnicity, or how they…
What is poverty? Merriam-Webster defines poverty as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. Our government’s own definition (all 184 words of it) is rooted in income thresholds based on…
Read More An Incomplete Understanding of Poverty Leads to Solutions That Don’t Work
If you ever volunteered or visited at Salt & Light during the years we were an emergency food pantry, you would have found many people with various types of disabilities standing in line for food. This is a reflection of…
Read More Why People of All Abilities Volunteer at Salt & Light
Patti has been a valuable member of our volunteer team for the last nine months. Starting in our clothing processing area, Patti has moved into a volunteer administration role, helping our team with scheduling, reports, and so much more. Patti…
The changes we have undergone at Salt & Light have drawn a ton of attention because of our unique approach to access to basic to resources like food and clothing. For many, our developmental model is all they need to…
Read More How Your Dollars and Cents Help Salt & Light Make Change
Violent crime is nothing new to our twin cities, here in central Illinois, especially the last 5 years. While we may grow calloused to being bombarded constantly with news reports of tragedy, it hits a nerve when a child or…
At the beginning of Salt & Light’s existence as an organization, we were a typical food pantry and clothing closet. This type of operation functions as a large, assembly line style business, and so for the first ten years of…
Read More Two Reasons to Volunteer as a Group at Salt & Light