CENTRALIA — 4-H members from Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington counties will gather on November 17 for Illini Fighting Hunger. Illini Fighting Hunger is a meal packaging program that allows 4-H members and their families to help provide meals to their local food pantries.  This is the fourth year in a row that Illini Fighting Hunger has been held in our area.

The participants work in an assembly line to measure and pour dry ingredients into a pouch that is then vacuum-sealed and boxed for delivery to food pantries.  The meals are protein rich, easy to prepare, and have a long shelf life. They also come with a recipe book of ideas to prepare the meals in different ways.

Meal packaging this year will be at Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School outside of Centralia. In addition to the 4-H families, this program is supported by local sponsors. For more information about Illini Fighting Hunger meal packaging, you call the Jefferson County Extension Office at 242-0780.