Students pitch in to help feed the needy
Students from two Lake County high schools are planning food drives to help feed needy families and gain a lesson in community service.
Libertyville High School is sponsoring its annual canned food drive to support the Libertyville Township Food Pantry and the Maristella program.
Last year, the school collected 35,070 items for these organizations and has donated 667,567 items over several years.
Student council members distributed paper bags Nov. 15 to homes requesting that they be filled with donations. Students will collect the filled bags on Saturday, Nov. 22. After the bags are collected, they will be brought to the campus to be packed and counted.
This year, the school also is partnering with Libertyville businesses participating in the "Shop Libertyville Tour" on Nov. 22. Donations may be made at participating stores to receive merchandise discounts. Students and staff will then gather Nov. 26 to load the boxes of food for pickup.
Grayslake North High School has planned a special event in conjunction with its districtwide food drive. Canned foods will be collected from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at the Grayslake Youth Center, The Oasis, 151 Hawley St. in downtown Grayslake.
In the past, Grayslake Central High School has joined the Grayslake Lions to host the annual food drive. For the second year, Grayslake North's public service practicum class, led by Chris Kubic joined the effort. Kubic said holding the Oasis event not only promotes the youth center, but also helps promote the food drive.
Local bands will perform Friday night. Admission is $5 and includes free pizza and pop. A $1 discount off admission is available to those who donate canned food, which will be packed into a truck parked outside the Oasis, Kubic said.
"Our goal is to pack it full of food," he said.
Bags that students distributed through area neighborhoods to collect donations will be picked up Nov. 22. Individuals also can drop off donations at Grayslake North High School, 1925 N. Route 83. The food drive will run until Dec. 5 when students will then deliver donations to area needy families.