Palatine High Foods class makes donation to pantry

Students from Palatine High School's Chemistry of Foods class donated $400 and multiple boxes of food to the Palatine Township Food Pantry March 8. The donation was the result of the class's annual empty bowls food drive in February.

"This donation is going to help tremendously," said Julie Reiser, director of the Palatine Township Food Pantry. "With the monetary donation, we can go to the Greater Chicago Food Bank or Dollar Tree to purchase anything we might be running low on."

After making the donation, students had the opportunity to learn about the services offered by the pantry. Senior Jaz (Diya) Sujayananda said she was surprised to learn that the facility offered more than just food.

"It was surprising that they are not only doing food but everything else," she said. "Not everyone does that. Food is not the only key."

Teacher Luke Skony added that he was surprised by the amount of those in need served by the food bank. Reiser told the students the pantry serves, on average, 95 to 100 families per week.

"Palatine is such a good community," said Skony. "I think it's surprising to our students to know that there are so many families in the community who have that need."

For junior Jennifer Kline, this trip opened her eyes to the wider extent of people who may need help.

"It's not just for those are homeless or are in such extreme poverty," Kline said. "It's for anyone who needs help at all. Now I know it's OK for anyone to ask for help."

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