Teens half-way to $100,000 goal for food pantry

So far, an enterprising group of teens from the Palatine area have raised nearly $60,000 -- or more than half of their goal of collecting $100,000 -- for the Palatine Township food pantry.

The funds have continued to mount, from a series of bake sales, birthday parties, lock-ins and collections at their high school football and basketball games.

The teens call themselves, "Youth Hunger Opposition in Palatine," or YHOP (which rhymes with IHOP pancake restaurants).

They hope to establish a fund to eliminate the food pantry's short falls when food contributions drop off, typically during the summer months. And word of their quest, is spreading.

To date, 15 churches in Palatine, Inverness and South Barrington are supporting their cause, but even little children are drawn to help.

Last month, 9-year-old Kay Petrie of Palatine, asked her birthday party guests to contribute to the cause instead of bringing presents. She excitedly presented YHOP members with a check for $515.

"I hope it helps a lot of people," Petrie said.

Norma Meehan, Palatine Township's food pantry supervisor, says hunger knows no season. She regularly serves 180 families every month, who come from throughout the township, including from Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Barrington, South Barrington and Schaumburg.

"These kids have so much energy," Meehan says, "and it's contagious. All their efforts have let people in the community know that the food pantry is here."

Just last week, they received $5,000 from a local resident, helping them reach $59,000. And momentum keeps building.

Next week, they will hold their first dinner dance and silent auction, set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Vittorio De Roma Italian Bistro in Palatine.

"We're so excited about reaching the half-way mark," says Kellie Kinsella, of Palatine, one of the organizers of the group. "What a fantastic way to start out the new year."

For more information about the teens and their mission, visit their Web site, at: www.yhop.org.