A group of teens in Elmhurst wanted to make their voices heard, so they decided to band together and form their own board at the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry.
The Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry (EYFP) Junior Board was formed last year, according to York High School senior and junior board President Ethan Wong, who related that then-York High School senior John Kattoor “was the first one to come up with the idea.”
“He kind of recruited a bunch of different high-schoolers,” Wong added.
York High School senior and junior board Vice President Maeve Duckworth explained by saying that at the time, “We were high-schoolers volunteering with the food pantry.”
The mission, she continued, was “empowering the youth who have been volunteering at the pantry.”
“We wanted to have more of a say,” Duckworth said, noting that she began volunteering last year to put in National Honor Society volunteer hours, and has continued to volunteer there this year.
Wong wanted to put in National Honor Society volunteer hours and still volunteers.
Marissa Delgado, also a York High School senior and junior board community outreach director, said she was familiar with the food pantry, so “I wanted to volunteer and give back to the community.”
Wong said the board—currently eight York students—“runs everything by the actual board,” but at the same time, they come up with their own ideas.
“The board has created many impactful events such as a survey that was handed out to pantry clients to gather opinions on what may need to be done, the creation of a low-cost cookbook, hygiene drives for clients and an allergy awareness campaign,” Duckworth said.
The junior board also has been working this year on the creation of a signage campaign “to both advertise the pantry and direct actual pantry clients on how to navigate through the pantry located next to the Presbyterian church,” she outlined.
Wong said of the board members, “We wanted to make a change in our community … more creative solutions.”
When asked what changes those might be, Duckworth cited the signage and the cookbook as examples. The cookbook was created by Delgado and Ella Yates, junior board fundraising director.
Delgado, who is considering a career in dietetics and nutrition, said the cookbook “promotes less food waste [and is] a guide to how you [can] use food from the food pantry.”
“Our teens play a vital role at the pantry,” Tracy Ries, a food pantry board of directors member, commented of the junior board. “The EYFP Junior Board brings creativity, fresh perspectives and thoughtful ideas about how we can continue to improve the way we serve our neighbors.”
“Their involvement also gives them a firsthand understanding of food insecurity,” she continued. “Sometimes they see the families of their own peers coming to the pantry for assistance, which makes the need in our community very real to them.”
“Ultimately, this is about more than providing food. It’s about building a compassionate community where teens, who are part of our community, are learning to support one another, have a meaningful role in making a difference, and help to be sure every neighbor has access to food,” Ries summed up.
“I honestly didn’t expect I’d enjoy it so much,” Duckworth recalled, but after stocking shelves, helping load carts and interacting with staff, volunteers and guests, “I love the feeling of gratitude I see from pantry clients.”
“I didn’t realize how much I’d connect with everyone,” she said. “It fills my day.”
Wong, who is on a junior board at a food pantry in Woodridge, said, “I also like doing things for community service … just the more personal connections.”
“You get to meet new people,” Delgado said, adding that the experience is “very rewarding.”
“Knowing that other people from the school were volunteering at the pantry,” she continued, created a connection. “You bond over that.”
Wong said that with their school schedules, the junior board meets both virtually and in person when possible, and there are several students in line to take over once students from this year’s board graduate.
The junior board looks forward to welcoming new members, but students ages 16 and over, who are interested in the board, are asked to become a volunteer first.
The Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, located at 1083 S. York St., Elmhurst, serves residents from Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Hillside, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace and Villa Park.
For more information about making a donation of food, time or money, visit eyfp.org, call 630-782-1066 or email info@eyfp.org.
