Taste of SIBR Returns to Collinsville to Support Food Pantries
The public tasting event brings local flavors to Madison County Firemen’s Hall on Nov. 18, with proceeds supporting 14 area food pantries and community organizations.
COLLINSVILLE — A plate of local food will come with a chance to support area food pantries at the Southwestern Illinois Board of Realtors' Taste of SIBR on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026.
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The event, open to the public, will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Madison County Firemen’s Hall, 9510 Collinsville Road. Realtors and affiliate members will serve samples from local restaurants, bakeries and stores, with the event supporting 14 food pantries and community organizations.
Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Attendees can move from booth to booth to sample food while connecting with local businesses, board members and other community members.
Mackenzie Bergmann, the board’s marketing and communications director, said the event grew out of a chili cookout and has expanded over the years. About 250 people attended last year, she said. This year, booth hosts are being asked to prepare for approximately 300 guests.
The tasting event is one way the board supports food pantries. Bergmann said members also participate in a summer volunteer effort, visiting pantries to organize shelves and stock food. Taste of SIBR provides a way to give monetary support, she said.
Bergmann said visiting the pantries and meeting those involved in their work has helped staff see the event’s impact.
This year’s beneficiaries are Bond County Food Pantry; Caseyville Food Pantry; Community Hope Center; Community Interfaith Food Pantry; Community United Pantry; Freeburg Food & Clothing Bank; Hope for Him Food Pantry; Ministries Unlimited; New Creation Food Pantry; Smithton Food Pantry; Son Shine Food Pantry; Staunton Helping Hands Center; Tilden Food Pantry; and Zion Church.
Board Realtor and affiliate members may sign up to host tasting booths for a $25 fee. Hosts select a local restaurant, bakery, or store and provide sample-sized portions. Food must be restaurant-prepared or store-bought; homemade food is not permitted for guest safety.
Ambassadors wearing sashes will be available during the event to answer questions and make introductions.
"It is just such a heartfelt event and program," Bergmann said.
She said staff and members of their organization have been able to go to participate at food pantries and help to them face to face.
"It lets everyone see how much this event impacts the food pantries, and it is phenomenal. Holidays get so busy, but taking a second to remember the food pantries and how the contributions go a long way to make sure a family enjoys their holiday during the season is so important."
For more information, call 618-277-1980, ext. 4.
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