Five Area Teens Make a Difference with Childhood Hunger

Since early fall, five local teenagers have joined forces to raise money and awareness for the non-profit organization Blessings in a Backpack.

Palatine High School student Thomas Judd, Connor Leighton and Brendan Lowery who attend Barrington High School, and Cary-Grove High School students Kate Gwinn and Danielle Farmar call themselves Team Food 4 Thought.

They have so far raised $10,000 to feed approximately 125 children on the weekends for an entire school year.

The efforts of these young people were recognized Monday, November 19 at a Palatine Village council meeting, during which the day was proclaimed by Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz as Food 4 Thought Day. 

Realizing how fortunate they have been in their lives, the group of five wanted to provide younger children with the same opportunities.

During the coming months, the Food 4 Thought team will be in Barrington, Palatine and Cary selling wristbands at local grocery stores, hosting efforts at their high schools, sponsoring local races and continuing to spread awareness for their cause.

Their ultiate goal is to reach $30,000 to help those less fortunate. 

“Our whole mission is: if you think you can make a difference, then you should step forward and make the difference,” said Thomas Judd of Palatine High School.

“We saw a need in our communities and we worked to find a way to make a positive change.  The success of the Food 4 Thought program comes from the generosity of our communities who support our cause,” Judd said. 

Blessings in a Backpack (People Magazine’s 2012 Charity of the Year) was founded in 2006 and has fed more than 50,000 children.

With the money raised, the non-profit provides children on the federally subsidized lunch program a backpack filled with food for the weekend. According to Food 4 Thought, it has been proven that well-nourished children have better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health, and increased attendance.

If you would like to learn more about the Food 4 Thought Team and upcoming events, visit the website: http://about.me/fthought

Information provided by Food 4 Thought.