OREGON – The Oregon Park District is excited to partner with The Oregon United Methodist Church and RiverStone Christian Church to offer anyone 18 and under free lunches this summer Monday-Friday at a drive-up location at Mix Park.
Meals will begin on Monday, June 1 and run through Aug. 12. Menus will be available at www.oregonpark.org. These institutions are equal opportunity providers.
Due to Covid-19, the Northern Illinois Food Bank will be partnering with agencies to offer a boxed lunch and breakfast each day from 12-1 p.m. at our drive-up location in Mix Park, Oregon from South Route 2.
These programs have been offered in the past but have always required on-site consumption and only one meal per person.
In prior years, Ogle County had 8 sites offering meals. This summer only two of the sites will be open to the public, the Mix Park location and Mount Morris.
“The Northern Illinois Food Bank has identified that most sites chose to eliminate the offerings due to a lack of volunteers and risk associated with enforcing social distancing and the updated guidelines,” said Erin Folk, executive director of the Oregon Park District.
No one will be turned away and this is open to anyone, regardless of location of residency. Please help spread the word to ensure everyone in our county receives the food they need.
Folk said that in the past, about 25-30 meals a day have been served.
This drive-up location will also accept walk-ups, but everything will be contact-less. Anyone can request meals for children 18 and under and they need not be present to receive the meal. Meals will be placed in a trunk or seat. Drivers or anyone walking up will be required to wear a mask and volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves and comply with social distancing guidelines.
Folk said she believes this is an important option considering the, “current pandemic and the drastic effects it has had on many families.”
“I am pleased to partner, once again, with Oregon United Methodist Church and River Stone Christian Church to provide meals to our county,” Folk said. “A special thank you to the coordinators from each partner and the volunteers who will be assisting with meal delivery this summer.”
If you have questions, please call Nash Recreation Center, 815-732-3101.
