DGN Honor Society Donates 4K Pounds Of Food For Holidays

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Downers Grove North National Honor Society recently collected and donated over 4,000 pounds of food to aid local residents with food insecurity this holiday season. The food drive was held Sat. Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but the students stayed after to unpack food and bring it to local food pantries, student Emmitt Thulin told Patch.

Thulin said food and items were donated to St. Joseph and St. Mary Church in Downers Grove, along with West Suburban Humane Society and West Suburban Community Pantry.

"It was really awesome to see everybody in the community coming together. Now, as things are getting worse, we need to come together again," Thulin said, adding "I think that was just a really good showing of our community spirit.”

Science teacher and National Honor Society advisor Jeff Grant told Patch, "I’m really proud of the kids and the community. Everybody is willing to roll up their sleeves and help out.”

Grant added, "It’s been tough for [students] just as it’s been tough for teachers. You think [coronavirus] will shut them down, but no, they’re right there.”

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.