More than 200 students at Township High School District 214 formed a human chain Tuesday to pass canned goods they collected to a Lutheran church as part of a special food drive.
The chain extended from the parking lot of the district’s administrative offices at 2121 S. Goebbert Road to the church across the street. It dramatized efforts to collect 100,000 food items in celebration of the district’s centennial anniversary. Students who attend four alternative schools have collected about 2,800 canned goods and joined the chain.
To launch the food drive, students put tags on bags and delivered them to the front doors of residences. When filled, the bags, donated by Jewel-Osco, were later collected by students. Boxes for food items also are in all schools and at the district’s administration offices.
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The scale of the drive is larger than most, with more than 12,000 students, 1,500 staff and community members from eight towns participating.
“I feel great helping the kids who need food,” said Danny Arroyo, a human chain participant. “They need it more than other kids.”
Staff and students braved the cold weather to see that cans made it to the Lutheran church, which has a food pantry.
“I think when you’re doing something great, you forget about the cold,” said Marianne Kenny, a teacher.
Carol Reach, who runs the church pantry with her husband, said the donations are needed since usage is up around 40 percent over last year. The number of seniors in need of assistance is also increasing, she said.
“It’s wonderful,” Reach said. “We are so thankful that the community steps up and helps out. It will help us a lot.”
“I think it’s really cool we helped the community,” said Dimitrije Markovic, a student at Vanguard, who’s part of an ongoing effort to pack bags at the pantry every week.
The food drive wraps up Sunday.