Cary-Grove Boys Basketball Collects Sizable Donation for Food Pantry

Despite frigid temperatures Friday, more than 40 Cary-Grove basketball players collected and dropped off nearly 2,000 pounds of food at the Cary-Grove Food Pantry in efforts to launch the teams' first annual food drive.

The drive, organized and initiated by varsity player Nick Barr, was a big success. The basketball players who participated in the collection included freshmen through seniors.

According to the pantry’s board president Melody Stanko, the teams collected approximately 2,000 pounds of food in addition to monetary donations, which will be used to purchase food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank. 

“We are very pleased and grateful to have received such a sizable donation from the boys, and appreciate their willingness to come out on such a cold day," Stanko said. 

"Our community always seems to come through when we begin to have low amounts on our shelves. It is a better place to live because of all the people willing to help others, especially now.” 

Barr, a junior at Cary-Grove High School, said he was inspired to hold a local food drive after hearing of similar collections held by other high school basketball teams. 

“I’d heard of other high school basketball teams coming together to do something for their communities and wanted to start our own tradition," Barr said.

Barr mentioned his idea to varsity coach Ralph Schuetzle, who embraced it and decided to implement it across all grade levels.   

 “This was a win-win," Barr said. "It was a great team builder and felt good to do something for the community. Next year I hope we’ll collect even more."

The Cary-Grove boys basketball season is in full swing. More information about Trojans basketball can be found on the CG Varsity Boys Basketball website. 

Source: Cary-Grove Boys Basketball