About Salt & Light

Salt & Light is a local, non-denominational ministry whose mission is to share the love of God by helping and educating our neighbors in Champaign County who are at or below the poverty line to meet their needs.

Through the services we provide we meet physical needs, educate our clients to help them meet their own needs, and attempt to meet their most basic spiritual needs.

The other side of what we feel as the responsibility of Salt & Light is that of advocacy.

The Need Is Great:

Out of the 102 counties in the state of Illinois, only 9 have more people living in poverty than Champaign County. Of those, only three actually have a higher poverty rate. There are almost 23,000 people in Champaign County living in poverty. (2007 Report on Illinois Poverty)

The average hourly wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom home in Champaign County is $12.17. The average hourly wage in Champaign County is $8.31. A person earning minimum wage in Champaign County would need to work 75 hours a week to afford a 2-bedroom home.

These are just a couple of the startling facts about the need in Champaign County. The need is great, but so is the response when people are educated about the need, and how they can help.