May 24, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Grade school collecting items for food pantry

The students at St. Joseph Grade School are doing more than celebrating their 100th day of school—they are helping their community.

Kindergarten teacher Lindsey Parrish is spearheading the project which saw each grade level compete to bring in items for the St. Joseph Community Food Pantry.

“Our kindergarten friends have been collecting “100 items for 100 days of school” for several years now,” she said. “Because the food pantry currently serves so many families, we thought we would extend it to the whole building. We get a little competitive around here, so we knew making it a race would get everybody engaged.”

Currently the school has collected more than 1,100 items.

“The kids have been very receptive,” Parrish said. “We count the bins each day after school and they are excited to see the new numbers each morning. It has initiated great conversation among students, as they know these items will go to those in need. We have been extremely proud of their willingness to give.”

The collection runs through this week and the items will be donated to the pantry.

The food pantry is in need of the following items: cereal, spaghetti sauce, ravioli, juices, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, canned meat, Campbell’s soups, Knorr’s Pasta Sides, granola bars, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, bar soap, shower gel, dish soap, PB and jelly, and applesauce.

Items can be sent with students to school to count towards the contest or dropped off at AJ Station, St. Joe Auto and Diesel, local churches, local banks, or the library.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ariela Adili Zoey Bird Cole Dietiker London Gallagher Cooper Graham Caleb Huckstadt Aubree Johnson Kendall Lubinski...

Franzen chosen to lead middle school

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

The new St. Joseph Middle School Principal will be a familiar face. The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted...

Heritage marching band modifies season

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

The Heritage Performing Arts department announced that their marching band season has been canceled. Band Director Justin Lee said that...

More than 35 students quarantining at SJO

April 21, 2021

April 21, 2021

More than 35 students at St. Joseph-Ogden High School are quarantining after close contact to a person with COVID-19. Currently,...

St. Joseph 7th Grade Honor Roll

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

Albrecht, Samuel Benoit, Zachary Canamore, Willis Colvin, Jaxson Ditchfield, Nickolas Downs, Justin Ennis, Jameson Gaines, Leah Garrett, Elijah George, Gunnar...

‘I love everything about our new space’

February 15, 2023

February 15, 2023

The drama program at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has a new home. “It means a lot to this program and...

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

Get to know Dan Thompson

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

Dan Thompson is running for St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I was...

SJO could return to full in-person instruction

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is starting to plan for the future. Superintendent Brian Brooks said the school is looking into...

Kids Say….

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Heritage Junior High Honor Roll

March 26, 2019

March 26, 2019

Heritage Junior High has compiled the list of honor roll students for the second quarter. A student must have a...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden High School Board

February 27, 2023

February 27, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. Tonight they are discussing facilities updates. They are discussing a new...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

5 questions with Mallory Wagner

April 16, 2023

April 16, 2023

Mallory Wagner plays Jay in St. Joseph-Ogden’s “The Descendents”. We asked Mallory five questions before the final show today at...

Comments
Leave a Reply