Change for Hunger Challenge collects $31,000 to help local families

Eighteen Elgin Area School District U-46 schools joined a community wide effort and raised more than $31,000 to go toward Food for Greater Elgin's Change for Hunger Challenge. The six-month drive challenged schools to raise at least $500 in spare change, a goal many schools met or exceeded, and one that will be celebrated Wednesday night at the nonprofit's Elgin office.

"Change For Hunger is designed for our community to unite in the fight against hunger, and we are so grateful to the schools and business partners for the impact they are having," said Michelle Frampton, executive director of Food for Greater Elgin. "Most importantly, this is a moment that empowers children to make a difference in their worlds. It is an opportunity to literally influence the future through working with our upcoming leaders."

Participating schools will celebrate their generosity at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, during a "Champions of Change" event at Food for Greater Elgin's headquarters on Commerce Drive.

Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin raised more than $2,500, ranking the highest among the 18 participating U-46 schools.

"It's a huge deal at Kenyon," said Principal Mike Demovsky. "Giving back is something we've entrenched with our students and staff. From our coat drive, annual St. Baldrick's Foundation event to building wells in Africa, giving back locally and globally is a priority at Kenyon Woods."

Fox Meadow Elementary School, also in South Elgin, came in second with more than $2,000. Principal Sjouke Brown explained the school tied the challenge to the initiative of caring for others as a Positive Behavior Interventions School (PBIS).

The school sponsored specific events for three weeks. The first week students were challenged to bring in change by denomination; from pennies on Monday to mixed change on Friday. The second week, the school hosted a food drive. The third week, staff and students could participate in pajama day if they donated a dollar.

"Our school feels wonderful about being helpful to those in need. Our PBIS initiatives of 'Caring for Others' and 'Caring for Community' were really evident during our campaign for 'Change for Hunger,' and we are honored to have been a part of this challenge," said Principal Brown. "We know our efforts have made an impact on others, and we are happy to have a positive impact on those who need assistance. We look forward to continuing to work with Food for Greater Elgin next year."

Corporate partners commit to a $500 match at each school, regardless of how much a school raises and some partners will match dollar for dollar above and beyond the $500 goal.

U-46 schools raised more than $15,000 before the corporate matches this year, the fourth year working with Food for Greater Elgin.

The $31,000 collected is enough to provide 1,550 families with a full grocery cart of nutritious food.

Food For Greater Elgin currently serves an average of 1,200 households per month, equating to nearly 6,000 individuals - half of whom are children. The pantry practices a holistic approach to food insecurity through a grocery store environment with plentiful, nutritious, fresh and shelf-stable items, as well as a community resource center where clients are linked to additional information and services.

The following table lists the 18 participating U-46 schools, along with two schools from Burlington Central Unit District 301 and one private school, as well as their corporate partners.

The schools and partners are:

• Washington Elementary with Hopp Accounting

• Century Oaks Elementary with JBSS

• Clinton Elementary with FLP Tax/Planning

• Fox Meadow Elementary with Arthur Rodgers

• Hilltop Elementary with Scott Budd

• Edward Jones/Lynn Glaser

• Harriet Gifford Elementary with Centimark

• Wayne Elementary with Mueller

• Willard Elementary with Lundstrom Insurance

• Kenyon Woods Middle School with Elgin State Bank

• Ellis Middle School with Thrivent

• Bartlett High School with Thrivent

• Larkin High School with Mueller

• South Elgin High School with Wisdom Foundation

• Highland Elementary with Imago

• Kimball Middle School with Edward Jones

• Central Middle School with Shales McNutt

• Eastview Middle School with Traffic Systems

• Einstein Academy with Elarasys

• Prairie Knolls Middle School with Mueller

• Channing Elementary with Heritage Crystal Clean

• Abbott Middle School with Shales McNutt