Forest Park Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) students recently put their leadership and service values into action during a volunteer trip to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Students spent the day sorting, packing, and preparing food items that will support families across the region.
The experience gave students a firsthand look at how service can positively impact their broader community. Frankie Hepner shared, “I think it’s important to help those in need. I like giving back, being active, and learning how to be a good representative of Forest Park.”
Classmate Rosabella Manzanares reflected on the meaning behind their work, saying, “I learned that people and families need help for many different reasons, and I like being able to do what I can for others.”
Northern Illinois Food Bank serves 13 counties through the Feeding America network, providing nearly 250,000 meals every day to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers like FPMS students play a vital role in helping the organization meet this need.
NJHS sponsors Mr. Staser and Mr. Almaoui said they are continually inspired by the students’ commitment and teamwork.
“I always like to see the students working together and communicating,” said Mr. Staser. “Some students you haven’t seen it from step up into leadership roles and help run the stations. You see students who do not know each other very well working together. At the end, we find out how much food we packed and how many meals it will provide. That’s when the students really understand their impact - made in just as little as two hours.”
Mr. Almaoui echoed these observations, adding, “I also love seeing some of our students step up and become responsible leaders who find the motivation to complete a task. You can see a positive and amazing transformation as they work as a team.”
The FPMS NJHS continues to demonstrate the power of service, leadership, and community engagement, showing what it means to make a meaningful difference beyond the classroom.
