Food Drive Planned At Evergreen Park Community High School In Memory of 9/11 Victims

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Evergreen Park Community High School will honor and remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks by holding a food drive in the days leading up to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

The 9/11 Day of Service Memorial Food Drive will run from Sept. 7 through Sept. 11. Students will be able to drop off non-perishable food items in the school's Learning Resource Center or at the Main Entrance the entire week. Community members can drop off their food drive donations throughout the week. A donation bin will also be set up at the gate prior to the EPCHS home football game against Shepard High School on Friday, Sept. 11.

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EPCHS' food drive effort is part of the broader National Day of Service on 9/11. One of the victims lost in the 9/11 attacks was Glenn Winuk, a volunteer firefighter in New York City who died while helping people escape the World Trade Center during the attacks. To find a way to honor Winuk and the many lives lost, his brother, Jay and friend, David Paine set out to establish the National Day of Service, 9/11 Day. It was officially recognized by the federal government under President Barack Obama in 2009 and continues to unify Americans in service to others each year.

"None of our students were alive on 9/11, but most of our staff members and many in the community can tell you exactly where they were when the first plane hit," said Amy Kazin, EPCHS' director of activities. "As terrified as I was that day, I also remember a feeling of unity that existed in our country. It is so often a tragedy that brings out the sense of community in all of us."

Social studies classes at EPCHS regularly include discussion about the events of September 11, 2001. But as the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches, Kazin and other EPCHS leaders saw an opportunity to do more this year. They wanted to encourage students and community members throughout Evergreen Park and beyond to engage in a day of service to benefit their community.

The food drive will benefit the Evergreen Park Food Pantry, a non-profit that was set up by a coalition of churches, Village of Evergreen Park representatives, community organizations, and Evergreen Park residents. The pantry helps people who may find themselves needing temporary food assistance in an emergency situation.

"Food insecurity is a chronic problem in our community, and we are happy to support the Evergreen Park Food Pantry whenever we can," Kazin said. "If every student and staff member brought one item, imagine the difference we could make. We are truly hoping for the community's support to restock the pantry as we head into the fall and winter months."