EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Students, staff members, parents, alumni and community members alike banded together to bring in hundreds of donations in an effort to thwart food security in Evergreen Park and beyond as part of a food drive held by Evergreen Park Community High School in the days leading up to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

The 9/11 Day of Service Memorial Food Drive, held from Sept. 7 through Sept. 11, brought in about 200 non-perishable food items. Donations poured in all week with items piling up at the school’s main entrance and inside the Learning Resource Center. A donation bin that was set up outside the gate at the EPCHS football field during the Sept. 11 football game between Evergreen Park and Shepard brought in additional items. 

“We are happy to continue to support the Evergreen Park Food Pantry in their efforts to fight against food insecurity in our community,” said Amy Kazin, EPCHS’ director of activities.

EPCHS’ food drive effort was 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. In an effort 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, which was recognized by the federal government under President Barack Obama in 2009 and continues to unify Americans in service to others each year.

The donations have been delivered to 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 to help people who may find themselves needing temporary food assistance in an emergency situation. 

“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,” Kazin said. “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.”