Palos West Student Food Drive Nets Over 10,000 Donations

Every year during the week leading up to the Superbowl, students at Palos 118’s West Elementary host a non-perishable food drive to benefit local food pantries.

Students in each grade also compete to see who can collect the most donations for the school’s “Souper” Bowl of Caring. Students who bring in at least one item are entered into a prize drawing.

Principal Jennifer Peloquin said that the community outreach event has been a tradition for over 20 years at the school and is a great way to get students involved in helping the community where they live.

“Each year we collaborate with Palos Township and they are so grateful for all the donations,” she said.

The school’s student council members keep a tally of the donations and make a final count before helping to load the food on a truck. This year, the school gathered over 10,000 non-perishable food items which surpassed their goal of 5,000. The fourth grade earned bragging rights, collecting the most donations and will receive an outdoor tailgate recess in the spring.

Ms. Peloquin said that The Souper Bowl of Caring is a nationwide movement that inspires people and schools nationwide to tackle hunger in their communities.

“It is wonderful to have Palos West continue to be a part of this movement and to see students, teachers, and families coming together to collect items for our local food pantries,” she said noting that the school kicks off the event each year with an all-school assembly.