In its ninth year, Joliet Catholic Academy’s annual fall food drive donated approximately 8,000 pounds to the local church pantries of St. Patrick’s and St. John the Baptist.

The food drive was held during October, with students bringing donations to their homerooms. The senior class ended up with the most pounds and received a dress-down day during the second semester as a prize.

JCA students helped deliver the food under the supervision of teachers Celeste Mackey and Suzi Arnett.

“Our students not only give food, they deliver it to the places,” Arnett said. “They were respectful and efficient, and it’s always nice to have Hilltoppers involved with the heavy lifting. When they’re unloading the food, they get to see the people who are in need and it always makes an impact.”

“It’s not a remote problem,” Mackey said. “It’s a big problem in the world and in our community and it will continue to be. It’s a great experience for our students to be involved with this yearly project.”

“On November 3, students from Joliet Catholic Academy dropped off their annual busload of food, believed to be the largest haul ever delivered by the school,” published St. Patrick Catholic Church. “Thanks JCA!” St. Patrick’s food pantry is open on a weekly basis providing food for approximately 300 families per month.

“It’s a great first-hand experience for our students,” Arnett said. “They have the chance to interact with the people, talk to them and hear the thank yous, and it’s something that clearly needs to be done.”