High school food donations help deliver ‘a sense of hope’
Many students say they got back as much as they gave
Across the Southland, students and staff did their part to make sure those in need have tasty Thanksgiving meals for Thursday, many saying they got as much as they gave.
“I like that it brings the school together, along with families in need,” said Molly Rossi, a sophomore and member of the Student Council at Shepard High School in Palos Heights. “I know there are students at school who struggle … so we just want to make sure they have everything they need for Thanksgiving.”
At Shepard, the Leo Club, National Honor Society and African American Cultural Awareness Club also helped out, along with staff sponsors.
The class that collected the most donations got a treat and the teacher who received the most feathers bought by students for donations got to dress up as a turkey for a day.
The canned foods included the traditional Thanksgiving sides and desserts and Jewel-Osco donated turkeys and extra food.
“There’s great need everywhere, but it’s particularly special when you can help families in your neighborhood, and there are students in our school right now who might be in need,” said Joanna Stasiak, math teacher and Student Council sponsor at Shepard, who led the donation drive.
At Richards High School in Oak Lawn, scores of students in the Leo Club, National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society collected donations for the Pilgrim Faith Food Pantry.
“Workers there have told us they are at a critical low both in terms of what is on the shelves and funding, we’re thrilled to be able to send contributions their way,” said Karen Lavin, Leo Club sponsor and math teacher. “It truly embodies the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday for me, and I know the students involved feel humbled and honored to be able to help make another family’s holiday a bit brighter.”
Eisenhower students in Blue Island also collected food. The school has a Thankful Tree filled with leaves hung in a lobby window with each person who donates money writing their name on a leaf. The homeroom that collected the most donations
and money for gift cards got a pizza or doughnut party.
“The families are so grateful … they seem surprised people care so much,” said Amy Stevens, librarian and English teacher, who sponsors Leo Club. “In the past, I have seen students get emotional when families come to pick up their boxes.”
Emily Zarco-Delgado, a senior in the Leo Club at Eisenhower, helped sort and pack up donations.
“It’s very nice to know that people in the school care about each other,” said Zarco-Delgado, who is also in Marching Band, Mariachi Band, Acapella and the Show Choir. “It definitely shows there is a family here,”
Other area schools are just as active in the donation department.
Bremen High School held its annual food drive, sponsored by Berkot’s Super Foods, with the National Honor Society and Student Council collecting nearly 10,000 pounds of nonperishable food items and distributing them to churches and to their micro pantry for students in need.
“The generosity and compassion that has been displayed throughout this event just makes you really proud to be part of such a great school and community!” said Anna Rauch, the Student Council sponsor. Her students agreed. “These past few years have been troubling for many people and having that stability in knowing that they will be able to have groceries can help optimize their perspective of their future,” said Andrea Orozco, a Student Council and NHS member. “These donations help encourage a sense of hope.”
Students at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights recently assembled and distributed meals to the Emmaus Community, a nondenominational Christian community in Olympia Fields.
Abby Urban, a senior involved in the drive, said she enjoyed service projects even before high school.
“A lot of the local schools do service and that’s how I learned to have a love for it,” said Urban. “When I got to Marian, it was a lot easier because they have opportunities for us as students.”
At Oak Lawn Community High School, students gave canned goods and money for gift cards to their favorite teachers for dispersal to those in need. The teacher who received the most got a prize and a turkey trophy for their classroom, said Jennifer Sidlow, media specialist and one of the Student Council sponsors who managed the drive.
Eric Kallenborn, fine arts department chairperson and teacher won, the Turkey Chalice award with $1,200 in monetary donations plus canned goods. He was also the 2021 winner.
“The Thanksgiving Food Drive tradition brings out the best in everybody,” said Jennifer Jepsen, English teacher who earned an honorable mention in the contest.
“The act of giving benefits the students as much as those in need.
“I love seeing this side of my students outside of academia,” Jepsen said.