Members of the Mason County 4-H Federation Club teamed up with local law enforcement officers to host a food drive as a service learning project. Using the 2019 county fair as a collection site, the goals of the club were to partner with other community volunteers and to collect healthy food donations to benefit county food pantries.
Through the project planning process, the officers shared with Federation members their observations of the need for food assistance across the county. According to the 2018 Illinois School Report Card statistics, all of the Mason county school districts have one or more schools with a 49% or greater student population coming from low-income households. Countywide, approximately 250 families use the resources provided by local food pantries that are operated solely by volunteers.
Mason City Food Pantry director, Barbara McGrew, reported that food donations tend to be less in the summer months while generosity is greater during holiday seasons. County food pantries rely heavily on healthy food and monetary donations to be able to support the demand. Many of the county food recipients are the elderly population living on fixed incomes.
One in five Illinois children under the age of 18 face hunger daily. Illinois ranks 26th in the nation when it comes to the number of children facing food insecurity. An estimated 745,300 children are living in food-insecure homes. This represents 23% of Illinois youth under the age of 18.
When asked about volunteerism, Sharon France, volunteer President of the Food Pantry at Central Christian Church in Havana, said, “It’s about helping people in need in our community. It’s about giving of your personal time, serving others with a friendly face and kindness, regardless of their circumstances. It’s about going the extra mile whether it is at your job or as a volunteer.” She hopes these are the values that are instilled in the 4-H members and that they will continue with service to others throughout their lives.
As a result of the 4-H Federation Food Drive, over 250 cans of food and non-perishable items were collected, as well as baby diapers, toiletries, and monetary donations. 4-H youth had the opportunity to work together with food pantry volunteers to help stock the shelves with the donated items.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Joli Pierson began her career with University of Illinois Extension in 2000. She first worked in the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) and later the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), presenting nutritional education in Mason County schools and agencies.
In 2012 she became the 4-H Program Coordinator, where she facilitates the Illinois 4-H program in Mason County. She invites youth to be a part of the 4-H program, which offers the elements of belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery. She works to develop the local 4-H volunteer leadership structure, where youth can benefit from the knowledge, experience, skills, and good examples of citizenship that volunteers have to offer. She coordinates a variety of programs, leadership opportunities, and special events for both youth and adults in Mason County.
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