IN THE SPOTLIGHT—Darlene Kumpf, Community Needs Agency
Oct 29, 2022 04:40PM ● By Sherry Adams
Darlene is a well-known hometown girl that grew up in Chillicothe. She went to school here and graduated from Chillicothe High in 1968. She has one daughter, Stacey, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Later she went on to ICC where she took banking classes and attained numerous banking certifications. She then started her career in banking in 1973 at the Chillicothe State Bank, working her way up to vice president. She then went on to South Side Bank in 1989 and managed the Chillicothe Branch. Darlene was in banking for over 44 years and retired as vice president of the bank. Her motto was always, “If it’s good for the customer, and it’s good for the bank, let’s figure out a way to do it.” During that time she had also taught night classes at ICC, Bradley, and Pearce.
She retired from banking in 2017, but did not stay idle for long. After retiring, she took on the duty of President of the Community Needs Agency (CNA). She realized that finding ways to help others by networking, fundraising, and organizing is what she loved to do and found it very rewarding.
Presently, besides running CNA, she is Chillicothe Township Clerk, Treasurer of the Chillicothe Foundation and Development Co., and President of the Police Pension Fund. Over the years Darlene has received many awards, but the ones she is most proud of are; The WEEK Women In Leadership Award, IVC Distinguished Alumni Award, and Citizen of the Year.
The Community Needs Agency helps those in need within the IVC school district. They offer many different services: Christmas food baskets and toys in conjunction with the Optimist’s club, emergency financial assistance for utilities and other emergency situations, back to school supplies and backpacks, spring cleaning supplies, senior homeowners that qualify for funds for minor home repairs, distribution of hats, gloves, and new coats for IVC district children, and GED classes. They also have an emergency food pantry on site. At the pantry, they let one family at a time come in and supply them with enough healthy food and meat to make meals for at least a week and have leftovers. They also have personal hygiene items available.
CNA is kicking off their holiday season with the bell ringing beginning November 19th. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year, and funds the Christmas food baskets. Bell ringers from all walks of life will be ringing: first responders, merchants, service clubs, schools, churches, individuals, and families. Anyone can sign up for an hour or two to ring the bell. Right now Darlene is looking for someone to coordinate the bell ringing. If you would like to do this, call Darlene at (309) 274-6333 and let her know.
Darlene anticipates the need to be greater this year. “Last year CNA gave out 150 baskets and meat gift certificates and expects more this year.” If you would like to donate food you can bring it to the CNA office at; 418 Wilmot St. on Mon/Tues/Wed. from 10–noon. Monetary donations and Kroger gift cards are also welcomed. Monetary donations can be mailed to CNA, P.O. Box 103, Chillicothe, IL 61523.
Food baskets and toy sign-ups start November 21st and distribution will be on December 17th at Three Sisters Park. “CNA always needs volunteers to help sort and fill the boxes that go out that day, so come and join us that morning.”
Darlene loves helping people in her hometown and making a difference in their lives. She tells us, “helping people has been my passion.”
We are so blessed to have that passion working in our town.