Thirty families benefit from school food drive

The annual food drive at Hawthorn Middle School South in Vernon Hills this year netted nearly 2,100 nonperishable food items that benefitted more than two dozen families.

The school’s students and staff of the District 73 school generously gave to this holiday effort, which is coordinated by the Middle School South student council.

Thirty local families received a large box of the food items, along with a turkey, five pounds of fruit and a bag of potatoes, which were purchased with donated funds.

Even after packing the boxes to the brim, there was still food available that was delivered to the St. Mary of Vernon Food Pantry.

Special thanks to Jerry Starzyk, a true friend of Hawthorn and a local veteran, who donated 30 pies to sweeten the holidays.