Dr. Glenn Poshard to Read Poetry at JALC to Benefit Local Food Pantries
Published on June 23, 2025
Dr. Glenn Poshard, longtime public servant and humanitarian, will host a public poetry reading at John A. Logan College on Wednesday, June 25, at 1 p.m., with all proceeds supporting local food pantries across southern and central Illinois. Wednesday’s reading will support the JALC Snack Locker, which provides free on-the-go food options for JALC students.
In a one-hour event, Poshard will read selections from his own poetry alongside works by some of his most admired poets. The reading will explore the full arc of the human experience — from life’s fragile beginnings to its inevitable end — through poems that evoke powerful emotions and confront enduring questions of love, faith, courage, and mortality. Poshard will also incorporate music into the program, deepening the emotional resonance of each piece.
“This reading is about more than just poetry,” Poshard said. “It’s about connecting to one another in our shared humanity — and about helping the most vulnerable among us.”
The event is part of a larger fundraising effort by Poshard, which aims to raise $500,000 by Christmas to help local food pantries purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for children in need. Poshard’s dedication to fighting childhood hunger began when he volunteered at a Korean orphanage at age 18 — a mission he has carried with him throughout his life in public service.
“Hunger continues to impact far too many children right here in our region,” Poshard said. “I would be honored to have you join me in this effort to feed hungry children.”
The reading will take place in the O’Neil Auditorium at John A. Logan College. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. All contributions will directly benefit regional food pantries working to combat food insecurity among children.
To schedule a reading to support your local food pantry, call 618-534-4724.