ROCHELLE — After having to cancel what would have been the Foundation for FOCUS House’s annual spaghetti supper last year due to COVID, the foundation hopes that this year’s event — which has been revamped to accommodate new COVID guidelines — will be more successful than in years past.

This year’s event will feature a drive-thru supper and an online auction that will be hosted by Bearrows Auction. The online auction will begin on April 15. Follow FOCUS House on Facebook for the link and information.

“Our dinner will be a drive-thru format instead of the standard sit down format of the past,” Executive Director for Foundation for FOCUS House Jeni Hardin said.

Dinner will include spaghetti with homemade sauce, French bread, salad with choice of ranch or French dressing and dessert with choice of fruit pie or cake. There is no need to preorder tickets for dinner, just drive over to Focus House on April 14 between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Dinner will be $8 per meal. Payment can be made with cash, check or credit card.

“The money raised from the spaghetti supper fundraiser will go directly to the needs of the youth at FOCUS House,” Hardin said. “Some examples of things the funds will cover are hygiene items, seasonal clothing, books and games, recreational activities, and anything needed to help the youth be successful in their program. Having to cancel both of our main fundraisers last year, we took a big hit on our donations but we are confident this year’s drive thru and auction will be a huge success!”

FOCUS House is a shelter care facility that has been operating in Ogle County since 1975. The facility serves primarily in-county youth that need residential treatment, but over the years, FOCUS House has also taken out-of-county youth as well. 

FOCUS House treats Ogle County youth that are involved in the justice system, not just residentially, but also through outpatient mental health services and alternative programming for kids that are suspended from school.