Teen Leaders Mobilize Hundreds of Volunteers to Fight Food Insecurity Across Illinois

In northern Illinois, two teenage leaders have built a remarkable volunteer network that is making a measurable difference in the fight against food insecurity. Cayla Boehm and Maelyn Garcia, still in their teens, have spent more than three years organizing hundreds of young volunteers to deliver groceries weekly to families in need and provide free tutoring to younger students.

What started as a small neighbourhood initiative has grown into a well-organized operation that serves dozens of families each week. The volunteers collect donations from local grocery stores and community members, sort and package them, and deliver directly to families who might otherwise struggle to access fresh, nutritious food.

“Cayla Boehm and Maelyn Garcia, still in their teens, have spent more than three years organizing hundreds of young volunteers to deliver groceries weekly to families in need and provide free tutoring to younger students.”

The program's success lies in its peer-to-peer model. By recruiting and training other young people as volunteers, Cayla and Maelyn have created a self-sustaining network that continues to grow. New volunteers are mentored by experienced ones, learning not only logistics but also the interpersonal skills needed to work sensitively with families facing hardship.

Beyond food delivery, the pair recognized that children in food-insecure families often face academic challenges. They established a free tutoring program staffed by high-achieving student volunteers, offering homework help and academic mentoring in subjects ranging from mathematics to reading comprehension. The tutoring sessions take place in community centres and libraries, making them accessible to families across the region.

The impact has been recognized by the American Red Cross, which highlighted the pair's work during Red Cross Month in March 2026 as an exemplary model of youth leadership and community service. Their story demonstrates that age is no barrier to making a significant social impact.

Cayla and Maelyn hope their model can be replicated in communities across the country, and have begun creating documentation and training materials to help other young people start similar programs in their own neighbourhoods.