NSYMCA and HRN in Partnership to Help Students and Families in the Community

This summer, in collaboration with The North Suburban YMCA (NSYMCA) the Hunger Resource Network Students Helping Students Campaign will host its 6th annual community donation drive to collect personal care items for more than 500 students registered in the Northbrook public schools who are on the free or subsidized lunch programs. The donation drive will be held at the North Suburban YMCA 2705 Techny on Sunday, July 13th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Hunger Resource Network (HRN), a Northbrook-based non-profit organization, is currently serving these students across the twelve public elementary and middle schools in the Northbrook and Glenview areas. The NSYMCA, also a Northbrook-based non-profit organization, is in current partnership with HRN and was asked through their Social Responsibility Committee to support in these efforts.

The HRN Students Helping Students Campaign was founded in 2020 by Samantha Mallahan, a Loyola Academy High School alumni and 2023 graduate of Vanderbilt University. Over the last five years, the student run program has collected over 1000 bags of personal care items making the campaigns objective not only about helping food insecure families, but encouraging students to get involved in their community. This year’s campaign goal is to collect and distribute 300+ bags, which would help 75% of the students and their families in the program.

"Students Helping Students is near and dear to my heart and continues to make an impact in our community and to the families we help each year," says founder Samantha Mallahan. "We started this program over five years ago and it continues to grow, thanks to our community’s generosity. None of this is possible without help from local organizations like the NSYMCA,” continues Mallahan. “We believe our goal of over 300 bags is possible this year, thanks to their support!"

This year, the organizations are offering multiple ways for the community to help.

1. Purchase & Donate a Bag - Buy the essential household items CLICK HERE FOR LIST—each bag costs approximately $35. Items are available at local dollar stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, or big box retailers. Please double brown bag the items before drop-off.
2. Donate Items in Bulk - Donate any of the items on the list in bulk and it will be used in the packing event on July 13th. Items and bags can be dropped off at the YMCA 2705 Techny between 7/5 & 7/12.
3. Monetary Donation - Donate or any amount and student volunteers will shop for the items on your behalf.
4. Help Pack Bags - Bring your family and join us for a bag-packing event on Sunday, July 13th, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the NSYMCA located at 2705 Techny Road, Northbrook.
5. High School or College Students - If you are a student, the organizations are seeking volunteers who want to help expand the program and lead it for future generations.

If you cannot attend on July 13th, the NSYMCA will be accepting both donated bulk products or completed bags from July 5th through July 12th.

“We are so thrilled that the HRN Students Helping Students campaign reached out to our Y for help this year,” says Kim Nyren, Director of Community Investment. “We strongly believe in the importance of getting our youth involved in giving back and teaching them how to build leadership in their community, so we enthusiastically accepted to support this amazing mission and cause.”

For more information on the donation drive visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HRr-E-y1JGq1roDH51iHq6pybyb0EyYC/view?usp=sharing

If you are a student interested in getting involved in the Students Helping Students Program please fill out this google form by CLICKING HERE or email Ellin Park at Ellinparky@icloud.com

About the North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected, and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The NSYMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility and is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community. Learn more at NSYMCA.org.

About Hunger Resource Network

The Hunger Resource Network (HRN) mission is to aid in the alleviations of hunger by helping meet the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across Chicagoland. Since 2009, through donations, HRN has distributed over 4.5 million pounds of food and rescued tens of thousands of pounds of food from farmer’s markets and local businesses. Since 2019, HRN has assisted students and seniors who are food insecure. HRN is a 501(c)3 certificate nonprofit organization.