Items will help stock the ‘Just for Jackets’ food pantry at Chester High
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – For several years Chester High School has had an in-school food pantry which is located in the Dr. James F. Sharp Media Center. The pantry offers food items for those students needing an in-school “pick-me-up” before or during school hours or on weekends when food items are often not available at home.
The pantry is called, “Just for Jackets” and is organized and stocked by staff and student donations. Students are heavily involved in the management of the pantry. Adrianne Kern, a CHS Staff member, is the official sponsor of the project.
Recently, two student workers, Erin Liefer and Rylie Meyer, both seniors, came up with the idea of hosting a food drive and Mrs. Kern gave them the green light to run with their idea.
She said, “Honestly, this drive is all Erin and Rylie. They wanted to do the food drive because we are running low on supplies.”
“They have done all of the inventory and know what items are needed to re-stock the shelves. They discussed the idea with Principal Jeremy Blechle and got permission to proceed with the project.”
Liefer, Meyer, and Mr. Blechle decided a date for the food drive and Mr. Blechle even offered to provide vouchers for everyone that donates food. The voucher is good for a FREE bag of delicious popcorn at the upcoming CHS basketball game.
The “Just for Jackets” food drive will take place THIS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6 when Chester hosts Red Bud in a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division basketball game. Miss Liefer said, “Our pantry helps provide meals and ‘grab-and-go’ snacks for students in need at CHS. We want to thank everyone who brings a food item to the game this Friday.”
Food items needed include canned food items such as Vegetables, Fruits, Pasta, Ravioli, Spaghetti, Boxes of Granola Bars, Grab-and-Go Snacks, and other items that kids can easily prepare on their own.
The CHS vs Red Bud basketball games will begin at 5 PM with the Freshmen Game, followed by a JV Game at 6 PM, and Varsity Game at 7:30 PM.
Everyone who brings food items for donation that evening will receive a voucher for a FREE bag of popcorn. The voucher is good only that night of the games on Friday February 6 when Red Bud comes to town!
The “Just for Jackets” Food Pantry sponsors and staff hope to accumulate enough healthy food items at the game to re-stock their dwindling shelves. These food items will serve the students at CHS who are in need. Thanks to everyone who will help to make this goal become a reality!