Noonan Academy's Sandwich Patrol

On Friday, November 14, 2025, seventy Noonan Academy students in fifth through eighth grades came together as joyful servants to be living examples of the hands and feet of Christ at the Academy’s first Sandwich Patrol to benefit Shepherd’s Table through the Daybreak Center of Catholic Charities. This initiative came together through the Academy’s Holy Family Association (HFA) in an effort to assist with food insecurity within the local community. “At Noonan Academy, we not only try to enrich young minds, but also try to instill in the students to live out their faith daily. One way to live out our faith is by helping those in need. Our hope for this inaugural sandwich patrol event was to shed light on hunger in our community and how the students themselves could make a positive impact to feed those in need,” Ginny Fowler, HFA President shared. “Our expectations were to have Catholic Charities share some education with the junior high students on their mission and work in the community and for the students to help support this mission by making 100 sack lunches.”

Under the guidance of Fowler and Rabia Harvey, HFA Community Outreach Chair, and the gracious donations of food items from the families at Noonan Academy, the students were able to beat their original goal of 100 sack lunches in an hour and a half by assembling 150 lunches in forty-five minutes. The sack lunches also included a handwritten card from our Primary level students. Stephanie Hook and Derek Schults from Catholic Charites were onsite during the process and educated Noonan Academy students and staff about food insecurity and how to create positive change within the community. “We can’t thank you enough for initiating and coordinating this blessing for our clients. We can’t do it alone. It is people like you that build bridges and inspire others to get involved,” Hooks said.

The junior high students worked in shifts. While a handful of students from fifth through eighth grades were assembling the sack lunches, the other students sat in a circle and prayed the Rosary for the people who would receive the lunches. “It was tremendously heartwarming to start off the Thanksgiving season giving back to the community and living out the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, “for it is in giving that we receive”. We look forward to future sandwich patrols at Noonan,” both Fowler and Harvey gratefully shared after the event.

Noonan Elementary Academy is an independent Catholic school in Mokena serving preschool through 8th grade. Noonan provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program that is academically challenging and personally supportive. Noonan is committed to developing the full potential of each student by fostering intellectual development, strong character formation, and spiritual growth. Please contact Mr. Dunn, Principal of Noonan Elementary Academy, for more information or to schedule a tour at 708-479-8988. More information can be found at www.noonanacademy.org