OREGON, Ill.— On April 26, 2025, youth across the country marked National 4-H Day of Service by giving back to their communities, and the Ogle County 4-H Ambassadors were no exception. Partnering with the Ogle County Health Department, the Ambassadors took action locally by stocking the Mini Food Center located behind Conover Square in Oregon.
The community-driven initiative focused on addressing food insecurity in the area. Thanks to generous donations and coordinated efforts, the group collected a wide variety of food items. Their contributions included over a dozen jars of peanut butter, more than 50 cans of vegetables, and even two whole turkeys.
“By working together with the Ogle County Health Department, we were able to help our community and ensure that the food center is better stocked for those who need it,” said one of the 4-H Ambassadors.
This project not only reflects the values of service and leadership that 4-H instills in its members but also highlights the strength of community partnerships. The Ogle County Mini Food Center operates 24/7, is completely anonymous to visit, and relies on local support to remain a dependable resource for families in need. The Mini Food Center’s motto is “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
PHOTO: Ogle County 4-H Ambassadors, L to R: Allissa Martin, Immanuel Arellano, and Raiden Zimmerman.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.