St. Francis de Sales helps hungry neighbors

When St. Francis de Sales Principal Dr. Roni Facen learned that SNAP benefits were going to be delayed this month, she took action. She organized Saturday food distributions for community members on the Southeast Side to give away extra groceries provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

It’s no surprise that this Big Shoulders Fund Plus school stepped up to help neighbors in a time of increased need. The school sits in a food desert, which is why it houses the city’s first permanent student-run food pantry. The Saturday food distributions are being run by St. Francis de Sales students, families and staff, with assistance each week from over 30 Big Shoulders Fund volunteers, ranging from Board of Directors to CAC, Auxiliary Board, and Teen Board members, as well as corporate partners, alumni organizations, and staff at other Big Shoulders Fund schools. Our community is stepping up to support our schools, as you always do, when they need you the most.  

You can watch WGN’s coverage of the first Saturday distribution here.  

And we know great things happen when Big Shoulders Fund schools come together for an important cause! To show their support for the food distributions, DePaul College Prep has launched, Fighting Hunger Together, a special fundraiser to benefit the food pantry. 100% of proceeds from the sale of specially designed t-shirts to celebrate the initiative will be donated to the St. Francis de Sales Food Pantry.