Pradel sets personal best while helping local pantry

He was a little winded toward the end, but Naperville Mayor George Pradel set a personal record Friday in his annual effort to help Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry.

During his three-minute run through a grocery store, Pradel bagged nearly 329 pounds of groceries, worth $894.67, for Loaves and Fishes, food pantry spokeswoman Jody Bender said.

His receipt, she said, was longer than Pradel is tall.

"He focused on family friendly foods like pizza, corn dogs and some healthy turkey," Bender said, "I was a little nervous about him doing this after just having two (heart) stents put in, but this was the furthest he's ever gone. He steamrolled right through the frozen food department. It really is something to see every year."

The annual event is sponsored by the Jewel at 2855 95th St. and the Midwest Frozen Food Association in conjunction with March being National Frozen Food Month.

For his part, the 72-year-old Pradel, who recently returned to work after suffering a mild heart attack, said he was just happy to help.

"It will help so many people," he said. "I picked out some good things for kids."