New Lenox, IL - This morning, Providence Catholic High School students and staff took part in the first of several service days scheduled throughout the year. The group traveled to the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Joliet, Illinois, to assist in packaging food for those in need. Forty students and staff attended today’s service day. Students from every grade level participated, which also fosters a bond between the students of different ages as they work together as a team.

“We developed these days of service because an Augustinian education is a well-rounded education.  As Augustinians, the traditional subjects in school are just the start of our learning experiences; we also need to experience what the world teaches us. These experiences should not just move us intellectually, but in our faith,” says Father Richard Young, O.S.A., Theology Chairperson at Providence Catholic. “We should see everything as educational. Service isn’t just something you add on when you have time. It is something integral to our school day. We’re saying that this is important enough as a class, but as a different kind of class – a class of service, a class of how you see God in the community. It’s thinking critically and acting upon how we make the world a better place – and then learning from the experience.”

Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mission is to provide nutritious food and resources for the community, with dignity, equity, and convenience. 97% of the food bank’s resources go to programs that feed neighbors in need. Every dollar donated helps provide $8 worth of groceries. They provide 250,000 meals a day and nearly 1,000 volunteers a week help evaluate, repack, and distribute food.

“The food bank was a great service opportunity to be a part of my community,” says senior Lexi Kosic. “A group of students and I got to go to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and help sort, clean, label, and package canned goods. During our time, we learned about how the NIFB helps out 13 counties in Illinois, distributing food to local pantries. I took the opportunity to volunteer because it was an amazing experience. In total, we labeled and packaged about 2,500 canned corn and green beans to be given out to different food pantries.”

Senior Natalie DeMoor was one of the many students who took part in the day of service. “I decided I wanted to take part in the food bank because I enjoy volunteering and knowing what we do will help people in need. When I grow up, I want to do something in non-profit, so volunteering now helps me prepare for that. Today reminds me that our actions can help other people.”

“Most importantly is their understanding that giving back isn’t something to simply check off a list; it is a way to get involved in your community and assist those who need help in the places we live,” says attendee Roseanne Grigoletti, Technology Director. “We are a part of several communities – Providence, the city we live in, our state, and so on. Small opportunities make a great impact.”

Learn more about service and mission at Providence Catholic by visiting us online at www.providencecatholic.org.