Forest Park School District 91 and the Forest Park PTO once again turned Martin Luther King Jr. Day into a powerful day on, not a day off through their 3rd Annual Day of Service. Held at Forest Park Middle School, the all-ages event brought together students, families, and neighbors with a shared goal of serving others and supporting those most in need.
Nearly 200 volunteers filled the Forest Park Middle School gym, working side by side to package non-perishable meals and collect essential household and toiletry items for local neighbors experiencing food or housing insecurity. Donations from the event support the Forest Park Community Fridge, Forest Park Food Pantry, and the Forest Park Library Comfort Cabinet, ensuring the impact stays close to home.
“One of the most powerful parts of the Day of Service was seeing students working alongside parents, staff, and community members,” said Rachelle Ernst, Director of Engagement. “That shared experience sends a powerful message to our students about empathy, responsibility, and the impact of coming together to help others.”
This year’s Day of Service reached a new milestone, with volunteers packaging nearly 35,000 meals, exceeding the original 30,000-meal goal. The significant increase in meals is credited to the combined support of Forest Park School District 91, the Forest Park PTO, business community sponsors, and individual family contributions, which brought a new level of engagement and expanded the reach of the event.
“There was so much energy in the air during our Day of Service as volunteers came together to package nearly 35,000 meals,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Hubbird. “In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our service is measured not by position or power, but by our collective impact in creating a more equitable and compassionate school community—and this event exemplifies this message.”
The Day of Service is truly a community-driven initiative, planned by district administration, PTO Board members, and parent volunteers, reflecting a shared commitment to collaboration and service across Forest Park. Students from the Field-Stevenson Multimedia Club also played a role by helping share the message of service and civic engagement.
“I am incredibly proud of the Forest Park community for showing up so powerfully for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Kc Mutchler, PTO President. “The addition of business sponsors this year deepened our impact and showed what’s possible when families, schools, and community partners come together in service.”
Together, these efforts honor Dr. King’s legacy by demonstrating how collective action, compassion, and community partnerships can create meaningful change, right here in Forest Park.