The impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to create uncertainty and concern both globally and here in our community. In accordance with University of Illinois policy, Illinois Extension has deployed public health strategies designed to protect everyone’s health and safety. Effective Friday, March 13, all university-sponsored events with more than 50 anticipated attendees are suspended indefinitely.

Illinois 4-H members and volunteers have packaged over one million meals for the hungry in their communities. Local 4-H clubs work in cooperation with Illini Fighting Hunger, a University of Illinois student group, to package rice-based meal ingredients. The

4-H clubs provide the volunteers and part of the cost of the food staples, and Illini Fight Hunger provides the supplies. Assembly lines measure the rice, spices, and flavoring, then seal and label the packages. All the meals packaged remain in the local community and are distributed free of charge to the area food pantries and service agencies.