Illinois food pantries receive $100,000 in missing money through ICash

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs visited a Bolingbrook food pantry on Thursday to return $5,499.45.

The 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry in Bolingbrook was just one of 86 food pantries across Illinois that received a share of $100,000 in missing money through the ICash program, according to the treasurer’s office.

“Food pantries always step up to feed people in need,” Frerichs said in the release. “It’s been a challenging year with federal cutbacks to food banks earlier in the year. The Trump administration opting to cut off food assistance to our state’s neediest folks last month was a double whammy. We wanted to see if we could help when our local food pantries put meals on the table for millions of Illinoisans.”

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, said before the event that she was glad Frerichs chose the 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry as one of the missing money recipients.

“It is a blessing for an organization that shoulders the weight of a community that is struggling with food and security and other deficits that are required for daily living,” Manley said. “My hope is people will hear that 4 K.I.D.S. Sake is out there and able to help them if they’re in need of food or other items. It’s a great organization.”

Illinois State Rep. Natalie Manley speaks at a press conference to announce a $5,499 donate by the Illinois Treasury Department for the 4 K.I.D.S Sake food pantry on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Bolingbrook. — Illinois state Rep. Natalie Manley speaks at a press conference to announce a $5,499 donation by the Illinois State Treasurer's Office for the 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Bolingbrook. (Gary Middendorf)

Each December, Frerichs’ office returns ICash money to nonprofit groups helping people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to assist food pantries, since their resources became really stretched in November, after the federal government shutdown stopped food assistance to many Illinois families.

But the $5,499.45 was especially helpful to the 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry in Bolingbrook, which had catalytic converters stolen from their donation trucks in June and November.

“What those thieves did to 4 K.I.D.S. Sake’s trucks is unconscionable,” Frerichs said in the release. ”This group does so much to help people, and we are happy to be able to do something to help them, especially at such an important time of year."

However, the food pantry – founded in 2012 by Theresa Watson when she was just 17 – said on Nov. 25 on its Facebook page that “no one will take away” its service to the community.

4 K.I.D.S Sake founder Theresa Watson attends a press conference to announce a $5,499 donate by the Illinois Treasury Department on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Bolingbrook. — 4 K.I.D.S. Sake founder Theresa Watson attends a press conference to announce a $5,499 donation from the office of the Illinois State Treasurer on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Bolingbrook. (Gary Middendorf)

“We will recover, we will build toward different solutions, and we will continue to not let this impact who we are,” 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry said on Facebook.

Since its inception, the organization has helped approximately 10,000 children, according to its website. 4 K.I.D.S. Sake has a food pantry and resale shop.

A press conference was held to announce a $5,499 donate by the Illinois Treasury Department for the 4 K.I.D.S Sake food pantry on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Bolingbrook. — A press conference was held to announce a $5,499 donation by the Illinois State Treasurer's Office for the 4 K.I.D.S. Sake food pantry on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Bolingbrook. (Gary Middendorf)

“This money will help as we try to meet the needs of families during the holiday season,” Watson said in the release. “We pick up six days a week. Our trucks are critical to serving families. These thefts have been devastating, but we’re strong and resilient.”

In addition to Frerichs, Watson and Manley, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, and Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Romeoville, attended Thursday’s event.