The gymnasium at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School buzzed with early morning energy as students, alumni and community members worked side by side to help address food insecurity close to home.
More than 150 volunteers gathered Dec. 13 for a Feed6 meal packaging event that resulted in 50,000 meals prepared for local families and organizations in need. The effort pushed the school community’s cumulative total to more than 400,000 meals packaged through similar events over time.
The event took place at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, located at 5345 W. 99th St. in Oak Lawn.
Feed6, a Chicagoland-based nonprofit, partners with schools, churches, corporations and civic organizations to host hands on meal packaging experiences. Volunteers assemble pasta meals in a fortified tomato basil sauce, with each package providing six nutritious servings. The meals are distributed locally through food banks and community partners.
Heather McCarthy, media specialist at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School and an organizer of the event, said the morning reflected the power of collective service.
“What I love most about this event is that it meets a very real and urgent need,” McCarthy said. “Food insecurity is affecting families in our community right now, and being able to take tangible action, packaging 50,000 meals, makes a meaningful difference.”
Students played a central role in the event, both behind the scenes and on the packaging floor. Twenty OLHMS students arrived at 7 a.m. to help with setup and logistics, while 15 alumni who are now high school students served as trained table captains, guiding volunteers through the process.
For many students, the experience made the impact of service feel personal.
“One thing I liked about the Feed6 event was knowing that the food I helped package would go to people in need right here in our community,” said Emilio Herrera, 11, of Oak Lawn.
Others noted how the event brought together people who might not otherwise work side by side.
“I liked the Feed6 event because it showed how people from all different backgrounds could come together and work as a team to make meals for people in need,” said Piper Davis, 13, of Oak Lawn.
Community support extended well beyond the school’s walls. An OLHMS alum brought her entire Oak Forest softball team, Alive Church of Oak Lawn contributed 25 volunteers, and members of the Lions Club assisted throughout the morning. Students from Wilkins Junior High School and Simmons Middle School also participated, along with a 12-member team from Scouting America.
The partnership between local schools stood out to some of the youngest volunteers.
“I like how OLHMS and Simmons always team up for community service events that bring the Oak Lawn community together,” said Christian McCarthy, 12, of Oak Lawn.
Christian said seeing students engage so deeply in service is one of the most meaningful aspects of the event.
“When students see the impact of service firsthand, they learn empathy, responsibility and the power they have to make positive change in their community,” she said.
Distribution of the meals was scheduled to begin next week. Larry Fetchko, District 123 community liaison officer director, was set to deliver the packaged meals to local schools, families, veterans organizations, food pantries and other groups in need.
