DECATUR, Ill. – leaders joined the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, to accept a significant food donation benefiting the Millikin Market, following a friendly food drive competition among the police officer cadet cohorts.
Representing Millikin were President Dr. Dean Pribbenow, Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans, Director of Wrestling Ryan Birt, Head Baseball Coach Brandon Townsend, and Head Football Coach Billy Riebock. The donation of more than 3,000 pounds of food was coordinated in partnership with the Northeast Community Fund, which will deliver the collected food to the .
The Millikin Market is an on-campus food pantry that supports Millikin students facing food insecurity. Open multiple days each week, the Market provides free groceries and essentials in a welcoming, stigma-free environment.
Thursday’s event highlighted the shared commitment of local law enforcement, Millikin University, and community partners to addressing food insecurity in Decatur and Macon County.
“This is America – nobody goes home hungry if we can do anything about it,” said Ed Culp, Director of Training at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, as he addressed the cadets. Culp emphasized the importance of service beyond the badge and encouraged cadets to continue building meaningful relationships in the communities they will serve
Angel Lawrence, Executive Director of the Northeast Community Fund, spoke about the growing need for food assistance and the importance of partnerships in meeting that need.
“Food insecurity does not have a face,” Lawrence said. “It could be anyone – someone on the street, someone in a school, someone in your community. Being present and engaged matters, not just for law enforcement, but for all of us working together to support our neighbors.”
Millikin President Dean Pribbenow thanked the cadets for their service and highlighted the University’s role as an engaged community partner.
“I’ve learned quickly that everybody shows up for everybody else in this community,” Pribbenow said. “Millikin University has a responsibility to bring our resources, our people, and our partnerships together to help make Decatur and the surrounding area a healthy, safe, and vibrant place to live and work.”
Athletics leaders also emphasized strong relationship with law enforcement and first responders. Coaches shared stories of ongoing collaborations, including training partnerships, campus safety support, and special recognition for first responders at Millikin athletic events.
“This stuff matters,” said Riebock. “The more our student-athletes see the time and commitment you put into this community, the stronger those relationships become.”.
Kerans shared details about the Millikin Market and the immediate impact of the cadets’ generosity.
“In the nine weeks we have been open, the Millikin Market has had more than 1,000 visits,” Kerans said. “This donation helps ensure we can continue supporting students who are experiencing food insecurity. We’re incredibly grateful.”
Following the remarks, cadets worked together to load the donated food into a Northeast Community Fund truck for delivery to campus, symbolizing what leaders described as the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the Law Enforcement Training Center, Northeast Community Fund, and Millikin University.
