Guys and Gals 4-H group donates Hygiene Hut to Winchester
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Christopher Hembrough stands next to the Hygiene Hut, located next to the Scott County Health Department on West Cherry St. in Winchester. The Hygiene Hut was built by the Guys and Gals 4-H group and contains just what the name implies, hygiene items. Hembrough not only helped unload the hut and place it next to the existing little food pantry, but he also took care of the initial stocking of supplies. (Submitted photo)
By Carmen Ensinger
There is another new addition next to the Scott County Health Department in Winchester. Next to the Neighborhood Little Pantry, which is filled with non-perishable food items for those who need them, there is now located the Hygiene Hut, because sometimes there is a need for more than just food.
Both structures were projects built by members of the Guys and Gals 4-H Club.
Club leader Pam Hembrough explained how the projects came about.
“Last year our club received a nutrition grant through the University of Illinois Extension and it was decided by club officers to build the little food pantry,” she said. “The little food pantry opened in August of 2025 and throughout the year, folks kept asking about non-food items being available.”
Hembrough said the school nurse and health department agreed there was a need in the community for hygiene items.
“It was decided at a club meeting in March this year to build the Hygiene Hut,” she said. “So, we started construction on it in April.”
The plans to build them were customized by Hembrough’s husband, Larry and Richard Winningham from samples they found on the internet.
“They are both skilled and were able to envision the process,” Hembrough said. “They both taught the youth volunteers how to measure, use power tools and assemble the structures.”
The materials used in its construction, including lumber, tin and some plexiglass were repurposed from personal projects at the Hembrough house.
“Buchheit’s did give us a gift card last year which allowed us to purchase some paint and hardware items for both of the structures,” Hembrough said.
The items in the hygiene hut include items such as soap, deodorant, shampoo and body wash items. There are also some feminine products, baby diapers, wipes, dish soap, detergent, toilet paper and basic first aid supplies. It will vary as donations and re-stock occurs.
“These initial hygiene items were purchased using club funds following a club vote,” Hembrough said. “Donations will be solicited from area medical groups and other sources as necessary.”
There are currently 54 youth in the Guys and Gals 4-H Club with Hembrough and her husband, Larry and Sue Gutmann as club leaders.
Throughout the year, different 4-H families have been responsible for keeping the little food stocked, using food provided through the initial food grant.
