A $500,000 contribution, over a five-year period, from Dr. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, LLC of Dubai, United Arab Emirates has been awarded to the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield. The gift will be used to establish an endowment to fund programs that provide nutritious food to children in need throughout the Foodbank’s 21-county service region.

Thanks to The Walt Disney Company Central Illinois Foodbank, along with partners SIU Center for Family Medicine and Central Counties Health Centers will distribute more fresh produce to those who need it most. Central Illinois Foodbank was awarded a $15,000 grant from Disney to supply two large coolers and fresh produce to each of the health center sites.