St. Charles District 303 Mobilizes Community for Food Drive

A truck delivering approximately 25 tubs and boxes of non-perishable food arrived at the St. Charles Public Library on October 30, 2023, marking a significant step in addressing local food needs. This first load of donations came from Wild Rose Elementary School, Thompson Middle School, and the St. Charles School District 303 administration building.

District 303 spokesman Michael Vaughn reported that Superintendent Paul Gordon sent out a call to action just days before Halloween, encouraging all students and staff to bring non-perishable items. The response was enthusiastic. “I think it’s wonderful,” said Kristi Niedzwiecki, who manages the library’s social media. “That’s amazing.”

All 17 schools within the district participated, highlighting a strong sense of community spirit. The food collected included a variety of items such as Dakota’s Chili with Beans, Barilla pasta, Honey Nut Cheerios, and single-serving mac and cheese. Pam Salomone, a spokeswoman for the library, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the St. Charles Public Library Community Cabinet, newly installed in February, was established to combat food insecurity in the area.

The Community Cabinet was created by Aidan Miller of Troop 13 as part of his Eagle Scout project. According to Salomone, there was previously little awareness of the extent of food insecurity in St. Charles. “We were having a hard time keeping it full because there was so much need,” she noted. The library reached out to the community for support, resulting in an overwhelming response from local businesses and nonprofits.

October was designated as a month-long challenge for the schools to contribute. Salomone mentioned that the district produced a video to promote the food drive, which was shared widely on social media. The St. Charles East Golf Team also contributed a substantial donation, further enhancing the community’s efforts.

Among the businesses sponsoring the community cabinet are the St. Charles Rotary Breakfast, Kendall’s Kindness, and the St. Charles Public Library Foundation. Salomone expressed gratitude for the support, particularly in light of recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which many low-income families rely on. “This initiative has opened up awareness of the food insecurities in St. Charles,” she stated.

As Vaughn, Gordon, and Isidro Duarte unloaded the truck, they transported the food to the library’s community cabinet, where it will be available to anyone in need. Salomone confirmed that there are no questions asked when individuals seek food assistance.

The drive coincides with a critical moment for SNAP funding, which faced cuts scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2023. However, two federal judges ruled that funding should continue, ensuring support for low-income individuals purchasing groceries. The administration has agreed to provide partial funding for the SNAP program in November.

Reflecting on the drive’s success, Salomone remarked, “When we started this food pantry, we didn’t understand the need was greater than it was. It was wonderful to see it all come together and help with a need no one knew existed at this level.” The community’s response underscores a collective commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need.