Meetings

The luncheon on July 8, 2026, will be held at the Mt. Zion Convention Center. Tanya Melendez, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Inn, will be our speaker. Angelo’s Catering will be catering.

Tanya Melendez will present “Nourishing Decatur: The Good Samaritan Inn's Mission to a Food-Secure Future ”. The Good Samaritan Inn has spent over four decades serving as the cornerstone of food security in Decatur, Illinois — operating a daily soup kitchen, an urban farm, and a SNAP-accepting farmers market to meet the needs of a community where nearly 15% of residents face food insecurity. Through the Noon Meal, Mercy Gardens, and Mercy Market programs, the Inn served more than 77,000 meals and harvested over 84,700 produce servings in 2025 alone — with demand expected to continue to grow. Guided by the simple belief that no one should go hungry, the Good Samaritan Inn remains committed to nourishing our neighbors today and building a more food-secure community tomorrow.

The cost of the luncheon is $15. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. The buffet opens at 11:45 a.m.; and the program begins at 12 noon. Bring your business cards and network. If you have any information fliers you want to put on the luncheon tables before the luncheon begins, please do so but be sure to pick up any remaining fliers at the end of the luncheon.

Please send your RSVP to mtzionilchamber@gmail.com by Tuesday, July 7th . Be sure to send me your RSVP information with all the names of those attending from your business or organization for the Attendee List. You can pay in advance at Event Registration - Mt. Zion Chamber of Commerce (chamberorganizer.com); or optionally, you can still be invoiced or pay at the door.