As poverty rates rise on the South Side of Chicago, Marist students step up to make a lasting impact. From food drives, to working directly with those impacted by food insecurities, students go above and beyond their duties in the classroom to help those in need.
In recent months, local food pantries have seen an increase in people seeking food assistance. As the cost of groceries and basic necessities continue to rise, many families and individuals are turning to their community for support. For many Marist students this is a call to action.
“I want everyone to feel that they have someone there for them,” said senior Sabrina Fons. “The food pantry is a way I can help others in my community who need a support system.”
Marist Youth is a club aimed at helping those in and around Marist. This year alone, students and faculty have spent countless weekend hours working by preparing packaged foods to deliver and serving hot meals at community soup kitchens.
“This gets Marist’s name out there as students that really want to help the neighborhood and help the local communities with hunger issues and homelessness,” said Campus Minister Mrs. Colleen Coyne.
Recently, students and faculty prepared and served dinner to over 50 individuals and families at Trinity Church in Oak Lawn. The meal included salads, beef stroganoff and cookies. Students later delivered and served the meal. Service opportunities like this provides Marist students an opportunity to build relationships with members in the community but also they get to see how impactful it is when they volunteer.
“Serving the food for the people in my community really helped me connect with them,” said sophomore Gabby Albarran.
Marist Youth is also hosting an ongoing Thanksgiving Food Drive. Students and faculty members are highly encouraged to donate canned goods, pastas, and boxed necessities for local food banks. Donations will be going to St. Anthony of Padua in Rosland, Worth Township Food Pantry, and Pat’s Pantry in Mt. Greenwood.
With the recent spike in need, local organizations are especially grateful.
“The food we receive at the pantry changes the lives of our neighbors. It is for people who are strong enough to lean on their community during hard times,” said volunteer at Pat’s Pantry, Sabrina Fons.
Marist’s commitment to fighting hunger goes beyond serving the community here and now. By engaging in these events throughout the year, students learn values that will last a lifetime.
“Doing service work has shown me how the small acts that we do can make a big impact on others,” said Albarran.
For many students, these experiences create a lifelong commitment to helping others.
Food donations for the Thanksgiving Food Drive can be dropped off from now until November 24 in the religion hallway.
“This stacks the community’s food pantries and helps make all the food donated easily accessible to all those who need it,” said Coyne.
